Azimzhan Askarov facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Azimzhan Askarov
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| Born | 17 May 1951 Bazar-Korgon, Kyrgyz SSR
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| Died | 25 July 2020 (aged 69) |
| Nationality | Kyrgyzstani |
| Occupation | Journalist |
| Known for | Human rights activism, allegedly political imprisonment |
| Awards | Homo Homini Award (2011) CPJ International Press Freedom Award (2012) Human Rights Defender (2015) |
Azimzhan Askarov (Uzbek: Azimjon Asqarov, Азимжон Асқаров; 17 May 1951 – 25 July 2020) was a human rights activist and journalist from Kyrgyzstan. He was an ethnic Uzbek person who cared deeply about fairness. In 2002, he started a group called Vozduh (which means "Air"). This group worked to investigate and report on police brutality, which is when police officers use too much force or act unfairly.
During the 2010 South Kyrgyzstan ethnic clashes, a time of serious violence in Kyrgyzstan, Askarov bravely worked to record what was happening. He filmed the events to show the world the violence, especially against people of Uzbek background. After these events, he was arrested. He was accused of causing big problems and being involved in serious crimes.
His trial was very controversial. Many international human rights groups said it was not fair. They reported problems like claims of torture and witnesses being scared by police in the courtroom. Askarov was given a life sentence. Many groups, like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, spoke up for him. Amnesty International even called him a prisoner of conscience, meaning they believed he was jailed for his beliefs and actions, not for a real crime.
In 2015, the United States gave Askarov an award for human rights defenders. The government of Kyrgyzstan was not happy about this. They even ended an agreement they had with the U.S. Askarov's case was reviewed several times, but his life sentence was always upheld. He sadly died in prison in July 2020.
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Early Life and Work
Azimzhan Askarov was born on 17 May 1951. His hometown was Bazar-Korgon in Kyrgyzstan. He went to an arts college in Tashkent. After finishing school, he worked as a painter and decorator for 15 years.
In the early 1990s, Askarov started writing for a local newspaper. He focused on human rights issues. He was married to Hadicha Askarova and they had three sons.
Fighting for Human Rights
Askarov became a human rights activist in the mid-1990s. In 2002, he created Vozduh ("Air"). This group watched over conditions in Kyrgyz prisons. Askarov mainly worked in the Bazar-Korgon area.
Through his group, he started investigations into police brutality and torture. Because of his work, several police officers lost their jobs. Askarov once said that law enforcement officials were always looking for a way to stop him.
Arrest and Unfair Trial Claims
In July 2010, there was a lot of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan. Hundreds of people were killed, and many Uzbeks had to leave their homes. During this time, Azimzhan Askarov filmed the killings and fires. He shared these videos with international news. He also accused the Kyrgyz military of being involved in the violence.
He was arrested on 15 June 2010 in Bazar-Korgon. Kyrgyzstan's human rights ombudsman, Tursunbek Akun, quickly spoke out against his arrest.
Askarov was tried with other activists in the Nooken District. An observer from Human Rights Watch said that the people on trial and the witnesses looked like they had been hurt. They seemed to have been tortured. The observer also reported that people in the courtroom openly threatened Askarov and his lawyers. Local police did not stop this behavior. Askarov's lawyer, Nurbek Toktagunov, was also threatened. Amnesty International asked for the safety of both Askarov and his lawyer.
Askarov himself said he was beaten and tortured while he was held by the police. His lawyer also reported seeing bruises on his back. However, the prosecutor's office later said that no beatings had happened.
Life in Prison and Health Issues
On 10 November 2010, a court upheld Askarov's life sentence. Two days later, Amnesty International reported that his health was getting worse very quickly. He was moved to a hospital in Bishkek. His family was worried that he was not getting good medical care in prison.
In 2011, the Kyrgyzstani Supreme Court agreed to look at new evidence in his case. However, his appeal hearings were delayed several times. On 20 December 2011, the Supreme Court again upheld his sentence.
Askarov's lawyer wanted to take his case to the United Nations Human Rights Council. But Askarov himself preferred to have his case reviewed in Kyrgyzstan. He worried he might not live long enough for a UN decision.
On 24 January 2017, a Kyrgyz court again found Askarov guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. His lawyers tried to get his sentence reviewed again in 2019. This was because of new changes to Kyrgyzstan's laws. But on 30 July 2019, the court once more upheld his life sentence.
Global Support
Many international groups spoke out against the charges against Askarov. These included Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Committee to Protect Journalists. They all called for his release. The Committee to Protect Journalists also asked for an investigation into the officers who arrested him. Reporters Without Borders also demanded his immediate freedom. Even American actor Martin Sheen supported his cause. The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek also urged the Kyrgyz government to hold fair hearings for Askarov.
On 8 March 2011, the group People In Need gave Askarov the Homo Homini Award. This award recognized his dedication to human rights and peaceful solutions. From prison, Askarov wrote a thank you speech. He said he cried with joy and realized the importance of fighting for justice.
In May 2011, an exhibition of Askarov's paintings opened in Bishkek. His wife and human rights groups organized it. His paintings showed scenes from the daily lives of people in the Fergana valley.
In 2012, Askarov won the International Press Freedom Award from the Committee to Protect Journalists. This award honors journalists who bravely defend press freedom, even when they face threats or imprisonment.
His Death
Azimzhan Askarov died on 25 July 2020. He was 69 years old. He had been hospitalized with pneumonia the day before. He also had a heart condition and other long-term illnesses. He was buried in the Tashkent Region of Uzbekistan on July 31. Askarov had asked to be buried in Uzbekistan. His family also worried that his grave in Kyrgyzstan might be damaged by nationalists.
In 2022, Human Rights Watch said that the investigation into his death was still not finished. They stated that his death "remains a dark stain on Kyrgyzstan’s human rights record."
Images for kids
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Askarov's body was transported from Kyrgyzstan to Uzbekistan for burial.
