The United States and European Union have expressed their deep concern about recent actions against independent media in Kyrgyzstan. This comes after 11 journalists were arrested earlier this week in a move international media watchdogs said was aimed at “intimidating and harassing” journalists to keep them from carrying out their work.
On January 16, Kyrgyz police detained 11 former and current reporters of Temirov Live investigative group and its Ait Ait Dese project after searching their homes and offices on a charge of “calls for disobedience and mass riots” over the group’s reporting. On January 17, a Bishkek court put the 11 journalists in pretrial custody for two months.
On January 15, the State Committee for National Security briefly detained for questioning the director and two editors of the independent 24.kg news agency after searching their homes and offices in a case of “propagating war” because of the outlet’s coverage of Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement on January 18, the U.S. Department of State said that the United States is deeply concerned by reports of recent actions taken by the government of the Kyrgyz Republic against independent media outlets and journalists. “These actions contribute to a pattern of government activity that appears aimed at stifling public debate and free expression. We encourage the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure journalists can operate without undue pressure or harassment. A free and independent press is essential for protecting human rights, maintaining effective democratic institutions, and promoting peace and security.”
Also on January 18, the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, the Embassies of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden in a joint statement expressed their concern about the extensive searches and confiscation of private property of independent media offices and the detention of journalists in Kyrgyzstan, saying that “expressing different opinions and engaging in independent journalistic activities are main characteristics of exercising universal human rights and freedom of expression”. The European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan and the Embassies have called on the Kyrgyz authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations and commitments and to protect freedom of expression and the integrity of journalists and media outlets, “in order to allow them to carry out their professional activities”.
