16/12/2008 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on behalf of the European Union on Tuesday 16 December, the French EU Presidency made the following statement (unofficial translation): “Following the decision taken by the General Affairs/External Relations Council of 13 October 2008, the European Union welcomes the release of two Uzbek human rights supporters, Messrs Dilmurod Mukhiddinov and Mamarajab Nazarov, as well as the authorisation given to Ms Tadjibaeva, the famous human rights supporter on conditional release, to leave the territory. The European Union today expresses its grave concern after the recent condemnations, both confirmed in appeal, to ten years imprisonment for both Solijon Abdurakhmanov, an independent journalist, and to Agzam Turgunov, a human rights activist. The European Union urgently calls on the Uzbek authorities to comply with the obligation to protect prisoners against ill treatment and for full light to be shed on the accusations made by Messrs Solijon Abdurakhmanov and Agzam Turgunov”. (O.J./transl.jl)