Short memory

Clare Short told The Observer on October 19th 2003 that Craig Murray was "… an individual who was taking a stand on human rights issues in a country where there is terrible, terrible repression."

"If he has been smeared and belittled for standing up for fundamental human rights - this is not just a few honourable political dissidents but really horrible repression - that would be outrageous."

Short visited Uzbekistan in May, when she is reported to have told Murray that he would be safe only as long as she remained in post. A week later she resigned from the Cabinet over the war in Iraq.

Clare Short, the then Secretary of State for International Development, was in Tashkent to chair the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

“Uzbekistan is distinguished by human rights abuses on an epic scale. And yet it looks as if the meeting will go ahead with no real strings attached. This makes no sense at all. It amounts to a reward for (very) bad behaviour.” Wrote Steve Crawshaw ,London director of Human Rights Watch in the New Statesman Feb 24th 2003.

“Clare Short “, Steve wrote..” and her colleagues could make it clear to Karimov that if he wants to avoid embarrassment all round and make the meeting a success, he should take a few easy steps to curb torture, release jailed human rights activists and allow human rights groups to register.

Hansard 13 Mar 2003 : Column 356W gives you her Clare Short's answers when asked about using the opportunity to express views on Human Rights at the EBRD summit ….inter alia” … We hope that the EBRD Annual Meeting will focus international attention on the region, and will provide a forum for a full and open discussion of the need for progress in achieving economic and political transition, tackling poverty, strengthening the investment climate, increasing regional co-operation and improving human rights….blah blah blah”

The ex - Secretary of State for International Development has (as far as a search of the press so far reveals) has remained silent on the recent events in Uzbekistan - but then so has evry other recently re-elected MP .