Changes

Uzbekistan is not a democracy and does not have a free press. Several political parties have been formed with government approval but have yet to show interest in advocating alternatives to government policy. No independent political parties have been registered, although in 2002-2003 they were able for the first time in several years to conduct grass-roots activities and to convene organizing congresses. Although multiple media outlets (radio, TV, newspaper) have been established, these either remain under government control or rarely broach political topics.  

Uzbekistan is not a democracy and does not have a free press. Several political parties have been formed with government approval but have yet to show interest in advocating alternatives to government policy. No independent political parties have been registered, although in 2002-2003 they were able for the first time in several years to conduct grass-roots activities and to convene organizing congresses. Although multiple media outlets (radio, TV, newspaper) have been established, these either remain under government control or rarely broach political topics.  

Several prominent opponents of the government have fled, and others have been arrested. The government severely represses those it suspects of Islamic extremism, particularly those it suspects of membership in the banned [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]]. Some 5,300 to 5,800 suspected extremists are incarcerated. This number fluctuates, as hundreds are amnestied periodically. Prison conditions remain very poor, particularly for those convicted of extremist activities, and a number of such prisoners are believed to have died over the past several years from prison disease and abuse. The police force and the intelligence service use torture as a routine investigation technique. Following the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Government of Uzbekistan in May 2003 drafted an action plan to implement the Special Rapporteur's recommendations. The government began to enact a number of its provisions, but its violent actions in May 2005 in Andijon have been widely condemned by other nations and human rights groups. It continues to reject calls by the international community to allow an international, independent inquiry of the turbulent events.  

Several prominent opponents of the government have fled, and others have been arrested. The government severely represses those it suspects of Islamic extremism, particularly those it suspects of membership in the banned [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]]. Some 5,300 to 5,800 suspected extremists are incarcerated. This number fluctuates, as hundreds are amnestied periodically. Prison conditions remain very poor, particularly for those convicted of extremist activities, and a number of such prisoners are believed to have died over the past several years from prison disease and abuse. The police force and the intelligence service use torture as a routine investigation technique. Following the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, the Government of Uzbekistan in May 2003 drafted an action plan to implement the Special Rapporteur's recommendations. The heavily disorganized response to the Andijan uprisings from troops led to massive amounts of criticism, from human rights groups and inside the Uzbekistani government. It continues to reject calls by the international community to allow an international, independent inquiry of the turbulent events.  

There have been reports cruel human rights violations, including boiling people alive.<ref>http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/uzb-summary-eng</ref><ref>http://193.194.138.190/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/29d0f1eaf87cf3eac1256ce9005a0170?Opendocument</ref>

There have been reports cruel human rights violations, including boiling people alive.<ref>http://web.amnesty.org/report2005/uzb-summary-eng</ref><ref>http://193.194.138.190/Huridocda/Huridoca.nsf/0/29d0f1eaf87cf3eac1256ce9005a0170?Opendocument</ref>

* [[Timurid dynasty]]

* [[Timurid dynasty]]

* [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]]

* [[Hizb ut-Tahrir]]

==References==

==References==