Pivotal moment for democracy in Kyrgyzstan: defenders facing increasing pressure
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 25 September 2015 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Pivotal moment for democracy in Kyrgyzstan: defenders facing increasing pressure, 25 September 2015, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/5617af5611.html [accessed 20 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
25/09/2015
Preliminary findings of a fact-finding mission on the conditions and vulnerabilities of human rights defenders and organisations
(Bishkek) Several laws, currently under discussion in Kyrgyzstan's Parliament, could dramatically restrain Kyrgyz civil society activities if adopted, the Observatory (FIDH-OMCT) warned today. The Observatory also denounced the increase, over the past few years, of the pressure against civil society: illegal searches of NGO offices, surveillance and intimidation by intelligence services, threat to (mis)use criminal provision on fighting extremism, smear campaigns in the media, etc. These concerns were expressed during a press conference in Bishkek, which followed a week-long investigative and advocacy mission in the country.
The Observatory delegation met with the Deputy Prime Minister, the First Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Deputy of the Ombudsman of Kyrgyz Republic, the Ombudsman of Jalal-Abad , the Ombudsman of Osh, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic, the Head of the Inter-Ethnic and Religious Affairs under the Presidency, as well as civil society representatives in Bishkek, Osh and Jalal-Abad.
The delegation urged them to protect the space of human rights defenders and to oppose the passing of several laws, notably one imposing the stigmatising label of "foreign agents" for NGOs receiving foreign funding and one criminalising 'promotion' of the equality of rights of LGBTI persons.
One day before the end of the mission, the authorities have failed to issue a permission to visit Uzbek minority human rights defender Mr. Azimjan Askarov, sentenced to life in prison in 2010, following the ethnic clashes in southern Kyrgyzstan.
A mission report will be issued in the coming months and will present detailed conclusions and recommendations to the Government of Kyrgyzstan, non-State actors, the United Nations, the European Union and foreign embassies in Kyrgyzstan.
