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Former Internewser Honored by Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch Former Internews staffer Umida Niazova is being honored by Human Rights Watch for her work as a journalist and human rights activist in Uzbekistan.

(October 31, 2008) A former Internews staffer in Uzbekistan is being honored by Human Rights Watch for her work as a journalist and human rights activist. Umida Niazova was imprisoned by Uzbek authorities in January 2007 on charges including “smuggling of subversive literature” and “distributing materials causing public disorder.” Among these materials was a report on Uzbek troops' use of force in 2005 against protesters in the city of Andijan, which killed an estimated 500 people. Niazova is an outspoken critic of the government's handling of the Andijan protests and the subsequent crackdown on independent journalists and human rights activists.

Niazova's seven-year prison sentence was suspended after she was forced to publicly admit guilt. She was later granted amnesty under the condition that she abstains from journalism and human rights activities within Uzbekistan. Niazova is currently working as an intern for Human Rights Watch in Berlin. She is being honored with the Human Rights Defender Award by Human Rights Watch at a ceremony in San Francisco on November 20.

Niazova worked at Internews Network’s Tashkent office from 1999-2002, hired to provide administrative support and help with logistics for journalism trainings. But she did far more above and beyond administrative duties – actively working with journalists and participating in Internews trainings, as well as trainings from BBC and Institute for War and Peace Reporting, and becoming a respected figure within journalist and human rights circles in Uzbekistan.

"Umida is a brave and talented person," said former Internews colleague Josh Machleder. "I remember how when she was pregnant, she was travelling around the country doing research on cotton harvesting for the International Crisis Group."

In 2005, a court ruling forced Internews to shut down its activities supporting independent media in Uzbekistan. The ruling was part of a pattern of government crackdowns on organizations that promote civil society and a free press in Uzbekistan.

“Internews congratulates Umida on her Human Rights Defender Award, and honors her courage and commitment in working for independent media and human rights,” said Oleg Katsiev, Internews Network’s Regional Manager for Central Asia.

In addition to working for Internews, Niazova has also worked for Freedom House and Human Rights Watch, and has contributed regular reports to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Ozodlik Radio in Uzbekistan.

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