Igor Rotar

Igor Rotar (born 1965) is a Russian journalist. From 2003 to early 2007 he was the Central Asian news correspondent for Forum 18, a human rights organization based in Norway that promotes religious freedom. He is a Russian citizen. [http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGEUR620192005 Uzbekistan: Journalist Igor Rotar detained at Tashkent airport] Amnesty International]

Background

Rotar is originally from Central Asia and in the 1990s he covered events in the Civil War in Tajikistan.

2005 detainment

The Immigration Service and Border Guards of the Government of Uzbekistan detained Rotar on 11 August 2005. Rotar's plane took off from Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and arrived at Tashkent Airport at 10:25 a.m. Amnesty International condemned the incident, saying his "detention is part of a wave of intimidation and harassment of journalists and human rights defenders by the Uzbekistani authorities that escalated following the events in Andijan in May this year." Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said, "We are deeply concerned for Rotar's safety. He should be allowed to contact his organization and a lawyer, and should be released immediately." [http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/08/12/uzbeki11626.htm Uzbekistan: Authorities must release detained journalist] Human Rights Watch]

Religious freedom conference

Rotar spoke at a conference on "Religious Freedom and State Policy in Central Asia" on 11 January 2007. The conference, hosted by the Russia and Eurasia Program of Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, also featured Eric McGlinchey, assistant professor of government and politics at George Mason University and Catherine Cosman, senior policy analyst for the OSCE region at USCIRF. Cory Welt, a fellow at CSIS and deputy director of its Russia and Eurasia Program, served as the moderator. [http://www.csis.org/component/option,com_csis_events/task,view/id,1176 Religious Freedom and State Policy in Central Asia] Center for Strategic and International Studies]

Rotar criticized Akromiya and Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Islamist organizations, calling them "enemies of the United States and Western civilization." [http://www.registan.net/index.php/2007/01/18/igor-rotar-briefs-washington-on-central-asian-religious-issues/ Igor Rotar briefs Washington on Central Asian religious issues] Registan]

Works

*"Kyrgyzstan: Officials call for police to close embattled Baptist church" [http://www.turkishweekly.net/news.php?id=43256 KYRGYZSTAN: Officials call for police to close embattled Baptist church] The Journal of Turkish Weekly]
*"Kazakhstan: More Planned Restrictions on Religious Freedom" [http://www.spcm.org/Journal/spip.php?article6735 KAZAKHSTAN: More planned restrictions on religious freedom] Journal Chrétien]
*"Uzbekistan: How many forced closures of religious communities?" [http://www.forum18.org/Archive.php?article_id=913 Uzbekistan: How many forced closures of religious communities?] Forum 18]
*"The Islamist Underground in Southern Kyrgyzstan" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2370225 The Islamist Underground in Southern Kyrgyzstan] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"Resurgence of Islamic Radicalism in Tajikistan's Ferghana Valley" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2369965 Resurgence of Islamic Radicalism in Tajikistan's Ferghana Valley] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"Why Extremism is on the Rise In Uzbekistan" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=2368400 Why Extremism is on the Rise In Uzbekistan] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"Terrorism in Uzbekistan: A Self-Made Crisis" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=236626 Terrorism in Uzbekistan: A Self-Made Crisis] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"What Lies Ahead For Tajikistan?" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=23610 What Lies Ahead For Tajikistan?] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"Hizb ut-Tahrir Today" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=23608 Hizb ut-Tahrir Today] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"Hizb ut-Tahrir in Central Asia" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=23567 Hizb ut-Tahrir in Central Asia] The Jamestown Foundation]
*"The Islamic Movement Of Uzbekistan: A Resurgent IMU?" [http://www.jamestown.org/terrorism/news/article.php?articleid=23428 The Islamic Movement Of Uzbekistan: A Resurgent IMU?] The Jamestown Foundation]

References