CPJ calls for release of jailed reporters in Central Asia
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 15 May 2012 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, CPJ calls for release of jailed reporters in Central Asia, 15 May 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4fbcc8da28.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| 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. |
May 15, 2012
WASHINGTON – The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged world leaders to "hold Central Asian regimes responsible for denying global access to information by throwing critical reporters behind bars."
CPJ Eurasia researcher Muzaffar Suleymanov made the call at a briefing of the U.S. Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, and repeated in a subsequent CPJ statement.
Suleymanov highlighted the cases of Muhammad Bekjanov and Yusuf Ruzimuradov of the Uzbek opposition newspaper "Erk," who have been in jail since 1999.
In Kyrgyzstan, Suleymanov also cited the case of Kyrgyz journalist Azimjon Askarov, who is serving a life sentence handed to him in 2010 after his investigative reporting ended the careers of several regional prosecutors and police officers.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
