HRW accuses the Kyrgyz government of censoring and controlling the media

Oct. 28 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The NGO Human Right Watch (HRW) has accused the Kyrgyz authorities of increasing control and censorship of the media in the midst of what it has described as “an escalation” of the repression of freedom of expression and civil society. .

The facts that support these accusations go back to last October 26, when, according to the organization, the Kyrgyz government ordered a two-month blockade of the online newspaper Azattyk Media and of the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty service in the country. after these media published a video about the recent border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Authorities claim the video used hate speech and false information that Kyrgyzstan had attacked Tajikistan, which the Tajikistan-based radio service’s correspondent referred to during a video segment with correspondents in Bishkek and Dushanbe, the capitals. of both countries, all under the protection of the False Information Protection Law, approved in August 2021 amid strong criticism.

“It is standard journalistic practice to provide information from both sides of the conflict,” said Syinat Sultanalieva, Central Asia researcher for HRW.

“The blocking of Azattyk Media is a blatant attempt to control and censor independent journalism in Kyrgyzstan in violation of the country’s international human rights obligations, in particular with regard to media and expression freedoms,” it added.

The censorship of these outlets was followed by a protest in front of the Azattyk newsroom on October 13, in which demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the complete closure of the newspaper, as well as a parliamentary initiative calling for the closure of Azattyk Media and two other media: Kloop and Kaktus Media.

On October 14, an open letter signed by 70 public figures called for the closure of these organizations, claiming that they were “foreign-funded entities” working against the country’s national interests. At least seven people included in the list of public figures publicly denied having signed the letter, according to HRW.

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Culture and Information, which is responsible for enforcing the Law on Protection against False Information, previously blocked the ResPublica newspaper’s website for two months, starting in June, and attempted to block the website of news agency 24 .kg in August for an anonymous tip of false information. The website was later unblocked.

On September 28, the administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan submitted draft amendments to the Law on Mass Media, which included sanctions for “abuse of freedom of expression.”

On October 27, dozens of representatives of the Kyrgyz media community published an open call on the Kyrgyz government to “immediately” cease all pressure on freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and also withdraw the Law on Protection against False information, according to the organization.

Media experts have told HRW that the text of the draft amendments is “very similar” to passages in Russia’s law on media, which is why they have expressed concern that the law is used to eliminate the media. of critical communication with the Executive.

“Kyrgyzstan should defend, not undermine, independent media… The authorities must immediately cease their attempts to control this fundamental human right by withdrawing the proposed amendments and uphold their commitment to respect all human rights and freedoms in the world.” country,” Sultanalieva said.