The European Parliament passed a resolution on July 13 addressing the growing concerns of media suppression and freedom of speech violations in Kyrgyzstan. The resolution, reported by the press service of the European Parliament, highlights the alarming deterioration of democratic standards and human rights in a country that was once considered the most democratic in Central Asia.
“Following a worrying deterioration in democratic standards and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, previously considered the most democratic of the countries of Central Asia, MEPs are calling on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect and uphold fundamental freedoms, in particular those relating to the media and expression,” the report says.
The European Parliament's resolution urges the Kyrgyz authorities to take immediate action by withdrawing and reviewing a series of laws and draft legislations that are deemed to be in conflict with the country's international commitments. These laws, as outlined in the resolution, are being exploited to stifle freedom of speech and media expression within Kyrgyzstan. Notably, the laws targeted for revision include those pertaining to the protection against false information, the protection of children from harmful content, and draft laws related to "foreign agents" and media regulation.
The resolution also draws attention to specific cases that exemplify the troubling state of media freedom in Kyrgyzstan. These include the forced closure of Radio Azattyk, a criminal case against Kaktus.media, and the controversial deportation of investigative journalist Bolot Temirov to Russia. These incidents serve as stark reminders of the challenges faced by journalists and media organisations in the country.
Moreover, the European Parliament calls upon the Kyrgyz authorities to drop charges against local journalists who have been targeted and subjected to undue pressure. This action is seen as crucial in restoring trust and safeguarding the integrity of the media landscape in Kyrgyzstan.
The resolution received substantial support from the members of the European Parliament, with 391 parliamentarians voting in favour, while 41 individuals opposed it. Although the resolution does not possess legal binding force, it serves as a strong political statement and highlights the European Parliament's concerns about the state of media freedom in Kyrgyzstan.
The deteriorating situation in Kyrgyzstan is further evidenced by its drop in the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. Kyrgyzstan's ranking plummeted from 72nd to 122nd place, reflecting the sharpest decline among countries in the region. This downgrade underscores the urgency for the Kyrgyz authorities to address the issues raised in the European Parliament's resolution and work towards upholding media freedom and freedom of speech within the country.
Comments (0)