The Uzbek Foreign Ministry on March 17 told the UNHCR that it is no longer needed in Uzbekistan and should close its office in Tashkent "within a month."
The UNHCR helped Uzbek refugees win asylum abroad following a military crackdown in the eastern Uzbek city of Andijon in May 2005. The Uzbek government accuses the UNHCR of protecting criminals by opposing Tashkent's demands on neighboring countries to return Uzbek refugees.
(ITAR-TASS, AFP, AP)
Aftermath Of Andijon
A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.