Elena Urlaeva (born 1957)[1] is an Uzbek human rights activist. She is the president of the Human Rights Alliance of Uzbekistan. She focuses on "document[ing] the practice of forced labour in the cotton industry."[2] According to the BBC, "Urlaeva's persistent work contributed to an international campaign which ultimately led major global brands to join a boycott of Uzbek cotton."[2]

Urlaeva was arrested on May 31, 2015, in Chinaz.[3] Human Rights Watch reported that "Police and doctors forcibly sedated Elena Urlaeva and then subjected her to a body cavity search, x-rays, and other abuse."[3]

The Solidarity Center reported that Urlaeva was "detained against her will in a psychiatric hospital in Tashkent" in May 2016,[4] "for more than a month".[5]

On March 1, 2017, according to Anti-Slavery International, Urlaeva was "arrested [...], beaten by Uzbekistan police and detained in a psychiatric prison on forced medical treatment."[6] Reuters further reported she had explained her situation in a video,[1] days before she was scheduled to speak in front of the World Bank, the International Labour Organization and the International Trade Union Confederation.[7] She was released from the hospital after 23 days.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 "Uzbek Activist Urlaeva Held In Psychiatric Ward". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. March 4, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Arrested, threatened, beaten: The Uzbekistan activist who won't give up". BBC News. June 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  3. 1 2 "Uzbekistan: Brutal Police Attack On Activist". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  4. ↑ "UZBEK RIGHTS DEFENDER DETAINED IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL". Solidarity Center. May 20, 2016. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  5. ↑ Connell, Tula (June 6, 2016). "HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER ELENA URLAEVA RELEASED". Solidarity Center. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Uzbek activist detained for forced labour monitoring". Anti-Slavery International. March 17, 2017. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  7. ↑ Pujol-Mazzini, Anna (March 3, 2017). "Campaigner against forced labor in Uzbekistan cotton fields arrested". Reuters. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  8. ↑ IDWFED. "Uzbekistan: International campaign wins release for Uzbekistan rights defender Elena Urlaeva". International Domestic Workers Federation. Retrieved 2019-09-27.


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