Kyrgyzstan

Human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan have been subjected to harassment, restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly and association, judicial harassment, interrogation, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment and torture. Family members of human rights defenders have also been subjected to harassment and persecution. The authorities and members of organised crime are believed to be the main perpetrators of acts against human rights defenders.

According to information received by the UN Special Representative on the situation of human rights defenders from non-governmental sources, “the role and space for human rights defenders have increased with the election of a new government in July 2005. The new Government, under Prime Minister Kurmanbek Bakiyev, has reportedly expressed its will to strengthen its relationship with civil society and increase mutual cooperation” (E/CN.4/2006/95/Add.5, page 160). In the past there were concerns that the former Government reportedly undermined the position and legitimacy of independent human rights NGOs by establishing pro-Government organisations and discrediting those who worked independently. Under the new Government, there were concerns that legislation introducing restrictions on foreign funding for national NGOs would be introduced but the suggestions were rejected. Reforms of the police force have been undertaken in an attempt to eradicate the occurence of ill-treatment and torture of detainees and provide members of the police force with human rights training. Human rights defenders who have highlighted the use of torture by the authorities have been the subject of reprisals in the form of judicial harassment. The situation of Uzbekistani refugees and asylum seekers including human rights defenders, who fled Uzbekistan after the Andijan massacre in May 2005, is of great concern as they are at risk of being forcibly returned. The UN SRSG conducted an official country visit to to Kyrgyzstan from 30 July to 4 August 2001.