News Scotsman
November 11

The human rights record of the former Soviet republic of Uzbekistan was condemned today by Foreign Office Minister Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean.

She said the country had no independent political parties, the press was muzzled, religious activity was controlled by the state, the judiciary was “compromised” and there were 7,000 to 10,000 political prisoners.

“Torture is practised in prisons,” Lady Symons told the Lords. “There have been some appalling deaths in custody. I think the most notorious were deaths in custody through individuals being subjected to boiling water.”

“These are all terrible indictments of human rights in Uzbekistan,” she said at question time.

But she defended the Government’s policy of “critical engagement” with the central Asian republic.

Lady Symons also disclosed that the British ambassador, who had publicly criticised the Uzbekistan regime, was expected to return there this weekend.

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