The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe which also covers the republics of the former Soviet Union has criticised the restriction of facilities for BBC World Service radio programmes in Uzbekistan.

In a letter to the Uzbek government, the OSCE's director for democratic institutions and human rights Gerard Stoudmann says the move is especially regrettable as the BBC service was due to broadcast a series in Uzbek on human rights produced in co-operation with the OSCE.

He said allowing BBC broadcasts was an important sign of Uzbekistan's commitment to democratic principles and appealed for the decision to be reversed.The Uzbek authorities have stopped broadcasting the BBC evening news on local transmitters and have warned of further restrictions next month.