The NGO Human Right Watch (HRW) has accused the Kyrgyz authorities of increasing control and censorship of the media amid what it described as «an escalation» of repression of freedom of expression and civil society.
The facts behind these accusations date back to October 26, when, according to the organization, the Kyrgyz government ordered a two-month blockade of the online newspaper Azattyk Media and the in-country service of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty after they published a video on the recent border conflict between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
Authorities say the video used hate speech and false information that Kyrgyzstan had attacked Tajikistan, which the Tajik-based radio service’s correspondent referred to during a video segment with correspondents in Bishkek and Dushanbe, the capitals of the two countries, all under the umbrella of the Law on Protection against False Information, passed in August 2021 amid heavy criticism.
«It is standard journalistic practice to provide information from both sides of the conflict,» HRW Central Asia researcher Syinat Sultanalieva has recounted.
«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, particularly with regard to freedom of expression and media freedoms,» she added.
The censorship of these media outlets was followed by a protest in front of Azattyk’s editorial office on October 13 in which demonstrators shouted slogans calling for the total closure of the newspaper, as well as a parliamentary initiative calling for the closure of Azattyk Media and two other media outlets: 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 signing 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 website of the newspaper ResPublica for two months, starting in June, and attempted to block the website of the 24.kg information agency in August over an anonymous report of false information. The website was subsequently unblocked.
On September 28, the Kyrgyz president’s administration submitted draft amendments to the Mass Media Law, which included penalties for «abuse of freedom of expression.»
On October 27, dozens of representatives of the Kyrgyz media community issued an open appeal to the Kyrgyz government to «immediately» cease all pressure on freedom of speech and press freedom and also withdraw the Law on Protection against False Information, according to the organization.
Media experts have pointed out to HRW that the text of the draft amendments is «very similar» to passages in the Russian media law, which is why they have expressed concern that the law will be used to eliminate media outlets critical of the Executive.
«Kyrgyzstan should defend, not undermine, independent media (…). The authorities should immediately cease their attempts to control this fundamental human right by withdrawing the proposed amendments and remain committed to respecting all freedoms and human rights in the country,» said Sultanalieva.
