[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 545 Engrossed in House (EH)]


H. Res. 545

                 In the House of Representatives, U.S.,

                                                     December 18, 2005.
Whereas the United States supports the development of democracy, free markets, 
        and civil society in Uzbekistan and in other states in Central Asia;
Whereas the rule of law, the impartial application of the law, and equal justice 
        for all courts of law are pillars of all democratic societies;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly arrested in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 
        October 22, 2005;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov is a businessman and leader of the Uzbek opposition party, 
        Sunshine Coalition;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly taken into custody on October 22, 2005, 
        during a crackdown on the Sunshine Coalition that included a raid of its 
        offices and seizure of its records;
Whereas Sanjar Umarov was reportedly charged with grand larceny;
Whereas press accounts report that representatives of Sanjar Umarov claim that 
        Mr. Umarov was drugged and abused while at his pretrial confinement 
        center in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, but such accounts could not be 
        immediately confirmed, and official information about the health, 
        whereabouts, and treatment while in custody of Mr. Umarov has thus far 
        been unavailable;
Whereas the United States has expressed its serious concern regarding the 
        overall state of human rights in Uzbekistan and is seeking to clarify 
        the facts of this case;
Whereas the European Union (EU) and the Organization for Security and 
        Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) have expressed concern about the arrest and 
        possible abuse of Sanjar Umarov; and
Whereas the Government of Uzbekistan is party to various treaty obligations, and 
        in particular those under the International Covenant on Civil and 
        Political Rights, which obligate governments to provide for due process 
        in criminal cases: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives that--
            (1) the law enforcement and judicial authorities of Uzbekistan 
        should ensure that Sanjar Umarov is accorded the full measure of his 
        rights under the Uzbekistan Constitution to defend himself against any 
        and all charges that may be brought against him, in a fair and 
        transparent process, so that individual justice may be done;
            (2) the Government of Uzbekistan should observe its various treaty 
        obligations, especially those under the International Covenant on Civil 
        and Political Rights, which obligate governments to provide for due 
        process in criminal cases; and
            (3) the Government of Uzbekistan should publicly clarify the charges 
        against Sanjar Umarov, his current condition, and his whereabouts.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.