EU Presidency statement on extradition of four Uzbek refugees and one asylum seeker from the Kyrgyz Republic to Uzbekistan

Press release 287/2006
10 August, 2006

The Presidency of the European Union has learned with deep regret that four Uzbek refugees and one Uzbek asylum seeker have been extradited by Kyrgyz authorities to Uzbekistan.

The Presidency regards this refoulement as an extremely serious violation of the 1951 Refugee Convention under which no refugees should be forcibly returned to their country of origin.

The Presidency notes with regret that the refoulement was carried out regardless of the fact that the UNHCR had already secured resettlement places in different countries for the four refugees.    

The Presidency of the European Union urges the Uzbek authorities to fully respect all human rights of the extradited refugees and the asylum seeker.