Russian expulsion of Uzbek national violates refugee principle, UN agency says

Russia’s expulsion of an Uzbek national back to his homeland breaches the principle of ‘non-refoulement’ under which no refugee or asylum seeker whose case has not yet been properly assessed can be forcibly returned to a country where their life or liberty could be in danger, the United Nations refugee agency said today.

Rustam Tulaganovich Muminov, who had been living in Russia since 2001, was forcibly returned to Uzbekistan on Tuesday before an appeal against a decision by a Moscow court ordering his expulsion had been heard, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) spokesman Ron Redmond told a news briefing in Geneva today.

“This follows several worrying forced returns of Uzbeks earlier this year by Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan,” he said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has repeatedly warned that Uzbeks deported back home face a “serious risk” of torture.

“UNHCR is seeking clarification from the Russian Federation authorities about this case and is also calling on the Uzbek authorities to adhere to their international obligations,” Mr. Redmond said. “Persons returned against their will to Uzbekistan should be treated in full accordance with international human rights standards.”

Earlier this month, Mr. Muminov approached the UNHCR Moscow office where he was registered and scheduled for a refugee status determination interview on 1 November. He was later detained for violations of administrative rules, then deported.

“UNHCR is concerned that Muminov was not given the opportunity to have his case reviewed on its merits,” Mr Redmond said. “For this reason, his expulsion is inconsistent with the principle of non-refoulement.”

Earlier this year, UNHCR strongly condemned similar expulsions. In February, Ukraine forcibly deported 11 Uzbek nationals who had registered asylum claims or were in the process of doing so. In August, four Uzbek refugees and one Uzbek asylum seeker were extradited by Kyrgyzstan.

“We remain extremely concerned about the fate of all these people,” Mr. Redmond said, noting that in April UNHCR closed its office in Uzbekistan after being asked to leave by the Government.