USA: Another participant of the Birdamlik open-ended hunger strike is placed in hospital
Isokzhon Zokirov, another active member of the Birdamlik opposition movement, is placed in hospital. It is worth mentioning that on August 10, the representatives of the Birdamlik opposition movement declared open-ended hunger strike, demanding the abolishment of the censorship of Uzbek service – Radio Ozodlik – and offer the tribune to all the leaders of Uzbek political opposition, residing both in Uzbekistan and abroad. The hunger strike is taking place in front of RFE/RL headquarters in Washington, DC.
Doctor are providing medical aid to Zokirov
Bakhodir Choriev, the leader of the Birdamlik movement, informed Ferghana.RU that on the fourth day of the event Isokzhon Zokirov flaked out and at about 2 pm, local time, he was placed in hospital. Zokirov is in grave condition.
Zokirov on the way to hospital
This is the second member of the movement, placed in hospital. Ferghana.Ru reported earlier that on the third day of the hunger strike, the oldest participant 73-year old human rights activist Yadgar Turlibekov felt sick and the protesters had to call for ambulance. Today, Mr. Turlibekov is in one of the hospitals in DC and feels better.
"So far none of RFE/RL representatives inquired about our health condition either personally or by phone. This is sad that after two participants were placed in hospital there is still no reaction from RFE/RL management – Choriev notes. – We will continue the hunger strike and whatever happens to us will be on RFE/RL’s head".
Therefore, 18 protesters lost two members. The rest of them feel ok. They are going to continue the hunger strike until they requirements are met.
This all looks strange, considering the fact that the administration of RFE/RL already provided official response to the claims of the protesters; furthermore, it directed the response before the faints. Responding to the inquiry of Ferghana.Ru, Julian Knapp, RFE/RL Executive Director for public relations, said: "RFE/RL takes concrete criticisms of its programming very seriously and considered the claims (hereinafter, italic text is the edited version), expressed by Uzbek opposition members. RFE/RL has not been able to corroborate any specific claims of alleged bias in the programs of Uzbek service. Working under very difficult circumstances, including threats to their lives and their families, RFE/RL's Uzbek service maintains RFE/RL's high professional standards and adheres to a strict professional code with regard to balance and tone. RFE/RL's Uzbek service is dedicated to RFE/RL's mission to provide objective and unbiased news, analysis, and discussion".
The hunger strike in front of RFE/RL headquarters in Washington, DC reminds the dialogue between blind and deaf. Having the official response, indicating no bias (and, therefore, no censorship) and that RFE/RL Uzbek service adheres to strict balance and tone, it is clear that there will be no changes, bearing in mind that RFE/RL is not that type of the organizations that can be blackmailed. The internal investigation of the editorial policy is the real maximum that the protesters can count on. Now, the Birdamlik movement needs to think how to "pull back", keeping the positions and supporters. The reason is that after receiving official response the organizers of the hunger strike must take full responsibility.