Your Excellency UN Secretary General,

We, representatives of the civil society of Kyrgyzstan, note drastic deterioration of the human rights situation in the country and would like to draw your attention to the following violations that are of concern to us and that lead to feeling of insecurity and prevent us from enjoying fundamental rights and liberties.


Freedom of expression and right to alternative information

Attacks on journalists and absence of effective investigation of such cases. 58 journalists have been attached within last four years (Mr. S. Abdyldaev, Mr A.Moniev (twice), Mr K. Joldoshev, Mr A.Evfgrafov, Mr A. Kniazev, Mr U.Babakulov, Ms. E.Ageeva and others).

Three journalists have been killed. A perpetrator of murder of the journalist Alisher Saipov has not been identified; a killer of Almaz Tashiev turned out to be a police officer and received suspended sentence; the State National Security Service of the Kyrgyz Republic was involved in the murder of journalist Genadiy Pavliuk which took place on the territory of Kazakhstan.

We are witnessing control over the content of independent newspapers which is exercised by the Secretariat of the President; seizure of printed newspapers and detentions of journalists; criminal prosecution of journalists for libel; journalists being sued for large sums of money by the authorities including by President Bakiev; blocking of broadcasting and creation of obstacles for work of the independent entities on the territory of the country; blocking of access to informational websites.

Freedom of assembly

The Kyrgyz Republic has stepped back from its obligations to ensure freedom of assembly. Legislative restrictions do not comply with the necessity in the democratic society (not consistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Therefore realization of this right has become possible only with permission of authorities.


In the last two years we are witnessing prevention and dispersal of peaceful assemblies, detention of the participants, imposition of administrative fines and detention up to 15 days. One activist (Maxim Kuleshov) who was exercising his right to freedom of assembly was even placed in the psychiatric hospital.

Participants of protest actions are persecuted as a result of biased assessment of their critical statements that are automatically qualified by the authorities as incitement to interethnic hatred and hostility and appeals to overthrow the constitutional order – such official assessments result in deprivation of liberty from two to four years (18 participants of Balykchi events) or a threat to be deprived of liberty up to eight years (S. Argynbaev, U. Ryskulov, E. Bulekbaev). Those in detention are subjected to torture in the pre-trial detention facilities. Judicial system does not ensure fair and impartial trials.


Failure to protect and trumped up investigation of political opponents

The Prosecutor’s Office and courts do not guard and ensure human rights protection; moreover, they do not remedy the rights violations and do not ensure compliance with minimal obligations in accordance with the UN human rights treaties. The perpetrators – the state authorities – are not brought to justice.


Reprisals staged by the incumbent authorities against political opponents are carried out through criminal prosecution under various pretexts (ex-Minister of Defense, General Ismail Isakov, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Jekshenkulov, ex-Minister of transport Ishenbai Kadyrbekov).

Gross violations of fundamental human rights and freedoms under the pretext of combating terrorism and extremism


32 participants of protest provoked by disproportionat e actions of local authorities in the town of Nookat in 2008 were subjected to torture and cruel treatment that were not compatible with investigative activities. The lack of effective control over activities of special security forces, incidents of extrajudicial killings and destruction of property are justified by the authorities as necessary in the context of combating extremism and terrorism (in Uzgen and Jalal-Abad in 2009).

Wide spread application of torture and other cruel and degrading treatment, impunity

Torture and cruel treatment are wide-spread in the work of law enforcement bodies. There are incidents of open use of criminals to exert pressure on opposition and citizens, who express discontent with actions and decisions of the Government. The State does not demonstrate its will to combat torture and cruel treatment nor to bring the perpetrators to justice. Attempts to establish the National Preventive Mechanism are carried out without genuine political will to introduce public oversight of all closed institutions.

The state does not ensure the security and safety of its citizens

Attacks against public figures, political leaders, opposition members and independent journalists do not lead to effective investigation; the perpetrators of murders of the following people were never found (a stunt man Usen Kudaibergenov, members of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic Jyrgalbek Surabaldiev, Bayaman Erkinbaev, Ryspek Akmatbaev, Sanjar Kydyraliev, Rualsn Shabotoev; ex-Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Medet Sadyrkulov, journalists Alisher Saipov and Gennadi Pavliuk) nor there are attempts to find perpetrators of the physical attacks against civil society and party activists (Timur Shaihutdinov, Renat Samudinov, Abduvahob Moniev and Aslylbek Tekebaev).

The number of persons who have applied for asylum abroad out of fear of persecution for their political views and because of the failure by the Government to ensure their security has increased: these asylum seekers include Edil Baisalov, Bakyt Beshimov, Kubanuchbek Kadyrov, Ravshan Jeenbekov, Maxim Kuleshov, Lira Tantabaeva, Ulukbek Osmonov, Kachkyn Bulatov, Cholpon Orozbekova, Syrgak Abdyldaev, Asran Aidaraliev and others).


Dear Mr. Secretary General,

The listed facts serve as the evidence of the systematic nature of violations of human rights and freedoms in the Kyrgyz Republic. We appeal to you with the request to call upon the authorities of the Kyrgyz Republic to ensure respect for human rights and freedoms and implement its commitments that have been voluntarily assumed by our country within the framework of international treaties.



2 April 2010



The undersigned are:


Abdurasulova A.


Human Rights Protection Center “Kylym Shamy”

Adishev M.
The Youth Club “Kebel”

Aitbaeva A.
Center “Inerbilim”

Aitbaeva G.
Bishkek Women’s Center

Aitabeva C.
Public Association “Our Century”

Davletbaeva G.
The Committee of Students’ Parents

Jumashev S.
Civil society activist

Jurabaeva G.
Center “Interbilim”

Duishebaev K.
Political Party “Akyikat” (“Justice”)

Duishenaliev U.
The Guild of Workshop Workers

Jakupova C.
Legal Clinic “Adilet”

Jeenbaev J.
Civil Society Activist

Ismailbekov I.
“Eldik Kenesh”

Kabak D.
Open Viewpoint Public Foundation

Kandybaev A.
Civil society activist

Karmyshakov
Civil society activist

Kaptagaev E.
Political Party “Uulu Birimdik”

Kubatbekov Meder
Political Party “We are for Progress”

Mamyrov B.
Political Party “Ar-Namys”

Molodokulov K.
Political Party “Ak-Shumkar”

Mukanbaeva D.
Association of Civil Society Organizations and NGO

Musuralieva S.
Public Association “Hadisy”

Narbekov O.
Karijalar Keneshi

Oshurahunova D.
Coalition for Democracy and Civil Society”

Osmonov D.
Civil society activist

Ruziev K.
Public Association “Ventus”

Samohvalov V.
Civil society activist

Sasykbaeva A.
Center “Interbilim”

Satybaev A.
Public Foundation “Elim Uchun, Elim Menen”

Stepanuk K.
Editor-in-Chief “StanTV”

Tokoev D.
Civil society activist

Tabaldiev B.
Political Party “SDPK”

Umetaliev O.
Aksakal Keneshi

Umetalieva T.
Association of Non-profit and Non-governmental Organizations

Shadybekov
Aksakal Keneshi

Eraliev S.
Civil society activist