Debate: Crackdown on the media and freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan
Date: WEDNESDAY, 12 JULY 2023
Speaker: Mairead McGuinness
Language: EN

We are closely following deliberations in the Kyrgyz Parliament. Since 2021, when the law on disinformation was introduced in Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Culture is legally entitled to shut down any media outlet it deems problematic. It allows the government to block certain types of information without a court order, solely on the basis of a complaint by either a private person or a legal entity. This is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression. We are also witnessing serious threats against human rights activists and journalists, for example, against Bolot Temirov, who was illegally expelled to Russia in May 2022. And we’re seriously concerned by the recent court decision to close as Azattyk Media, the local branch of Radio Free Europe. We are systematically raising our concerns about the freedom of press and media in Kyrgyzstan, as well as general concerns about the human rights situation with the Kyrgyz authorities at every level. During the annual EU-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Dialogue in September 2022, we expressed strong concerns about the negative trend for fundamental human rights, notably the shrinking space for civil society and the increasing pressure on freedom of speech. We also raised a number of individual cases, including those of the journalists Bolot Temirov and Kamil Ruziev. We reiterated our concerns during the latest Cooperation Council with Kyrgyzstan on 15 November 2022 in Brussels. The signature and entry into force of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the Kyrgyz Republic will strengthen our partnership, but also increase the EU’s leverage. As part of the agreement, both the EU and Kyrgyzstan commit to respecting democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the principles of the rule of law. The EU will continue to support human rights activists and civil society in Kyrgyzstan, as we do worldwide. This is a fundamental principle of the European Union. The EU frequently issued statements in support of activists who are under pressure by law enforcement, and it attends and monitors court cases where human rights activists are involved. In the last 20 years, we have provided more than EUR 30 million to projects related to rule of law and human rights. For example, with our ongoing Monitoring for Justice project, we are supporting the Kyrgyz state and civil society in putting in place monitoring mechanisms to improve scrutiny of human rights compliance, identifying protection gaps, and continue to effective enforcement. The EU delegation is currently also evaluating new proposals for additional EU-funded civil society initiatives. At the same time, the Kyrgyz Republic has committed to upholding universal human rights internationally. And as a current member of the UN Human Rights Council, it bears a special responsibility in this regard. Honourable Members, let me reassure you that the EU will continue monitoring developments in Kyrgyzstan closely, and we will continue calling on the authorities for accountability if they do not respect fundamental rights enshrined in the country’s constitution, its laws and the international conventions it has signed up to.