A 14 January joint resolution of the U.S. Congress registers concern at human rights violations -- including arbitrary arrests, restrictions on the media and religious freedom, and the use of torture -- by the governments of the five Central Asian states. It noted that such actions could fuel support for extremist movements and thus undermine the war on terrorism. The resolution calls on the governments of all five states to accelerate democratic reforms, fulfill human rights obligations, release from jail all those imprisoned for the nonviolent expression of political or religious beliefs, and permit the unrestricted functioning of independent political parties and media outlets. It calls on the U.S. administration to pressure the Turkmen government to release imprisoned former Foreign Minister Boris Shikhmuradov. It also calls on the U.S. administration to work with the government of Kazakhstan to \"create a political climate free of intimidation and harassment\" that would permit the return to Kazakhstan of political exiles, including former Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin. (RFE/RL)