Uzbek rights activists prevented from leaving for Seoul to get award
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 17 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Uzbek rights activists prevented from leaving for Seoul to get award, 17 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550940be15.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 17, 2015
By RFE/RL's Uzbek Service
TASHKENT – Two Uzbek human rights activists have not been allowed to travel to South Korea's capital, Seoul, to receive an international award.
Tashkent-based Shukhrat Rustamov said on February 16 that Uzbek authorities had denied "exit visas" to him and the chairwoman of the Uzbek Human Rights Defenders' Alliance, Elena Urlaeva.
Rustamov said he and Urlaeva have been invited to Seoul to receive the Tji Haksoon Justice and Peace award during a March 11 ceremony.
The Uzbek Human Rights Defenders' Alliance won the prestigious award this year.
The award includes $10,000 in prize money.
It was established by the Tji Haksoon Foundation in 1977 to commemorate Korean Bishop Tji, who campaigned for justice and peace.
Uzbek citizens are required to get an official permission to leave the country, known as exit visa.
The authorities often use the regulation to prevent citizens from leaving the country.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
