The Coalition For Women In Journalism is seriously concerned for the safety of its fellow member and freelance journalist Agnieszka Pikulicka, who was stranded for days after Uzbek officials at the Zhibek Zholy-Gisht Kuprik (Chernyaevka) border crossing denied her entry to the country. After braving the extreme cold at the Uzbekistan-Kazakhstan border crossing for over 48 hours, without access to proper food or shelter, Agnieszka has been unreachable since Tuesday morning. The last time the CFWIJ heard from her she said "there is no food and it is very cold". According to her Twitter, she was permitted to buy an air ticket home and was due to fly out from the Tashkent airport this morning. The CFWIJ condemns the arbitrary denial of entry to the Polish citizen and freelance reporter for Al-Jazeera and The Guardian. We urge the authorities to immediately ensure her safety.

gnieszka Pikulicka, a CFWIJ fellow member and freelance journalist for Al-Jazeera and The Guardian got press accreditation rejected once again by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The letter issued by the ministry states that her accreditation was rejected on the basis of her work. The ministry has also accused her of degrading the honour and dignity of the citizens of Uzbekistan and interfering in the internal affairs of the republic.

Agnieszka Pikulicka, journalist and fellow at The Coalition For Women In Journalism, shared images of two cars parked outside her house on April 4. The journalist said, lately, it is the typical view from her window. She further shared that they disappear when offered tea. A while later, she tweeted another picture of a man walking towards the car parked outside Agnieszka’s home. The journalist is facing state-backed intimidation for covering the torture of Miraziz Bazarov, an activist and LGBT rights supporter. Miraziz was brutally tortured on March 29 by radicals, and Agnieszka has followed the details of his treatment. CFWIJ condemns this harassment and demands that Uzbek authorities stop this intimidation towards the journalist and allow her to work freely.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) fellow and the reporter Agnieszka Pikulicka was subjected to intimidation due to the attack against LGBTİQ+ vlogger Miraziz Bazarov she followed and covered. Agnieszka’s boyfriend and her loved ones questioned by the security forces aiming to silence the journalist. The CFWIJ is utterly dismayed by these brutal attacks against the journalist. We demand Uzbek authorities to respect the LGBQİ+ rights and provide a safer environment to everyone.

A female journalist has reported being harassed by an official at the Uzbekistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) after applying for accreditation. The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the official’s misconduct, and demands authorities take action on the issue.