To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Uzbekistan about its obligations under the (a) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and (b) Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Along with our EU colleagues we regularly stress to the Uzbek authorities the importance of meeting Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and UN commitments.

A national action plan on torture was introduced by the Uzbek Prime Minister on 9 March 2004. However this failed to mention the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. I have urged the Uzbek authorities to implement these recommendations without delay. Our Embassy raised this again most recently with the First Deputy Foreign Minister on 1 December. We expect to see an amended plan in due course. At the same time the Deputy Foreign Minister was reminded of the importance of meeting the obligations of the UN Human Rights Committee.

On 11 November 2004, an EU delegation, including the UK, reminded the Deputy Foreign Minister of the importance we attach to the Parliamentary elections on 26 December 2004 meeting OSCE election standards. Along with the OSCE, we will continue to follow these elections and the prospects for democracy and political rights closely.