US concerned over Uzbek decision to close rights watchdog

By IANS/RIA Novosti,

Washington : The US has expressed concern over the Uzbek Supreme Court’s ruling to close the Human Rights Watch (HRW) office in Uzbekistan.

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“The United States is concerned by the Uzbek Supreme Court’s decision to close the Human Rights Watch office in Tashkent,” Mark Toner, deputy spokesman for the US Department of State, said in a statement.

“International NGOs such as Human Rights Watch have an important function to play around the world, and we regret that Human Rights Watch will not be able to do so in Uzbekistan,” he added.

The New York based NGO often criticises former Soviet republics for lack of democracy and abuse of human rights.