Written question asked by Lord Campbell of Pittenweem (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 29 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 November 2004. It was answered by Jack Straw (Labour) on Monday, 8 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the US State Department's conclusions in relation to Uzbekistan regarding (a) its absence of democracy and a free press and (b) its use of torture as a routine investigation technique; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures. (Holding answer of 4 November 2004).

Answer: Sir Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the US State Department's conclusions in relation to Uzbekistan regarding (a) its absence of democracy and a free press and (b) its use of torture as a routine investigation technique; and if he will make a statement. [195509] Mr. Straw :[holding answer of 4 November 2004]: The US State Department conclusions to which the right hon. Gentleman refers represent the basis upon which the US Secretary of State took the decision in July to withdraw up to $18 million in aid programmes to Uzbekistan. The decision was taken because of Uzbekistan's lack of progress in meeting its commitments to improve its human rights record under the strategic partnership framework agreed in 2002 between Uzbekistan and the US. The US position is consistent with messages conveyed to the Uzbek Government by the UK and EU partners.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 195509; 426 c523W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Democracy Human rights International assistance Foreign relations Politics and government Press freedom Torture USA Uzbekistan
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk