Press Release (2005)064 24 May 2005

North Atlantic Council statement on the situation in Uzbekistan   News 14/05/2005 - NATO Statement by the Secretary General on the situation in Uzbekistan NATO is deeply disturbed by the recent violence in Uzbekistan. We condemn the reported use of excessive and disproportionate force by the Uzbek security forces. We support the United Nation’s call for an independent international inquiry into these events and urge the Uzbek authorities to allow such an investigation. The Alliance expects all its Partners to fulfill their commitments to basic freedoms, human rights and other fundamental values. Uzbekistan has undertake these commitments in joining NATO’s Partnership for Peace and Individual Partnership Action Plan, as well as within the OSCE framework. We will keep our relationship with Uzbekistan under close review, and call for transparency, co-operation with international organizations and domestic reform to strengthen democracy and the protection of human rights.

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