UN rights chief urges probe into Uzbek violence News
UN rights chief urges probe into Uzbek violence

[JURIST] In the wake of conflicting reports, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour [official website] on Wednesday urged an independant probe of reports of killings by Uzbekistan security forces. Witnesses say over 500 demonstrators were killed [JURIST report] Friday when government troops fired into crowds in the eastern Uzebek city of Andijan. The government places the figure at 169 [JURIST report] and claims most of the victims are themselves "bandits," responsible for the deaths of civilians or security officials during the violence. Reuters has more.