11:57, 11 апреля 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Baktygul OSMONALIEVA
Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Edil Baisalov met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR) Michelle Bachelet during his working visit to Geneva.
They discussed current issues of cooperation of the Kyrgyz Republic with the UN bodies and mechanisms in the field of human rights.
Edil Baisalov noted that during the years of independence Kyrgyzstan has grown into a mature and responsible member of the international community and has come a long way in building a legal and democratic state.
«Our people do not tolerate injustice and put freedom above material values. As a result of our struggle, we were able to achieve fair and transparent elections in the country. Today, a democratic and fully legitimate government has been established in Kyrgyzstan, pursuing its policies in the interests of and with the support of the overwhelming majority. This is democracy,» he said.
According to the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers, he «also took the opportunity to give a detailed explanation of some of the issues of the current situation that are of concern to the international human rights community».
Michelle Bachelet expressed her readiness to continue to support the gradual strengthening of mechanisms and guarantees of human rights in the Kyrgyz Republic. In particular, she expressed support for the Cabinet’s initiative to raise the status of the Ombudsman’s institution and strengthen the guarantees of its independence.
It should be noted that a number of international organizations issued statements in connection with persecution, including criminal, against Kyrgyz journalists and activists. The most recent such appeal was issued by Freedom for Eurasia. It demanded to stop persecution of free mass media and journalists in Kyrgyzstan.
The Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC) calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to stop prosecuting Next TV channel and release its director Taalai Duishembiev from custody. The statement was published on the organization’s official website.
According to the British think tank The Economist Intelligence Unit, Kyrgyzstan moved eight positions down in the democracy ranking. According to Reporters Without Borders, it ranked 83rd in the World Press Freedom ranking.
Amnesty International also says in its report that Kyrgyz journalists are under pressure.
HRW calls on Kyrgyzstan’s authorities to stop persecuting independent media.