-
UNHCR regrets order to leave Uzbekistan
20 Mar 2006 The UN refugee agency said it regrets the decision of the Uzbekistan government to give UNHCR one month to end its more than decade-long presence in the Central Asian country. UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Protection Erika Feller says the agency has always performed its work in accordance with its mandate and that the basic principles of refugee protection would continue to guide its work. -
UNHCR condemns deportation of Uzbek asylum seekers from Ukraine
16 Feb 2006 The UN refugee agency is appalled to discover that Ukraine deported 11 Uzbek asylum seekers back to Uzbekistan following an extradition request from the Uzbek prosecutor's office. UNHCR is seeking urgent clarification and further information on the fate of the deportees, as it is extremely concerned for their safety. -
Uzbek refugees wait in Romania for resettlement: "I went to the bazaar and ended up in a refugee camp"
7 Feb 2006 Last May, life abruptly changed for hundreds of Uzbeks in the town of Andijan, forced by violence to flee to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. Of 439 who were moved to Romania last July to await permanent resettlement, more than 100 have now left for their permanent new homes. -
Uzbek refugees recount harrowing tales three months after Andijan violence
15 Aug 2005 Ongoing interviews with Uzbek refugees awaiting resettlement from Romania have revealed harrowing tales of violence, trauma and loss in eastern Uzbekistan's Andijan town, from where they fled three months ago. -
UNHCR reiterates concern over 15 detained Uzbeks
3 Aug 2005 The UN refugee agency continues to work with the Kyrgyz authorities for the release of the Uzbeks still in detention in western Kyrgyzstan. Twelve of them have been recognised as refugees while three are undergoing status determination. Eleven have been accepted for resettlement in Europe. -
Uzbek refugees arrive in Romania
29 Jul 2005 A total of 439 Uzbek refugees are now in Timisoara, Romania, after flying from the Kyrgyz capital, Bishkek. Another 15 remain in detention in Kyrgyzstan. UNHCR is negotiating their release with the Kyrgyz authorities, who have promised not to deport the group to Uzbekistan. -
Uzbek refugees set to fly from Kyrgyzstan to Romania
28 Jul 2005 UN refugee agency chief António Guterres has welcomed Romania's decision to temporarily accept a group of Uzbek refugees now in Kyrgyzstan, and assured Romania that UNHCR will transfer them to permanent resettlement countries as soon as possible. -
UNHCR airlifts Uzbek refugees to Kyrgyz capital as Uzbek troops demand return of 12
27 Jul 2005 The UN refugee agency has started the humanitarian airlift of 455 Uzbek refugees from western Kyrgyzstan to Bishkek amid intensified pressure from Uzbekistan for the return of 12 among the group. -
UNHCR welcomes Kazakhstan's release of Uzbek activist
12 Jul 2005 The Kazakh authorities today released Lutfullo Shamsuddinov, a prominent Uzbek human rights activist, to UNHCR protection. Uzbekistan was calling for the extradition of the recognised refugee, who is now on his way to resettlement in a third country.