[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 143 (Wednesday, November 2, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12279-S12280]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE ARREST OF SANJAR UMAROV IN 
                               UZBEKISTAN

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 295, which was submitted 
earlier today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 295) expressing the sense of the 
     Senate on the arrest of Sanjar Umarov in Uzbekistan.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 295) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

[[Page S12280]]

                              S. Res. 295

       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 Senate 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.

                          ____________________