17:39, 24 октября 2022, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Darya PODOLSKAYA
Representatives of the Coalition for Equality appealed to the authorities of Kyrgyzstan in connection with the mass detention of politicians, civic activists, bloggers and journalists.
The appeal says that the criminal prosecution is an attempt to suppress freedom of expression and the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly. «The mass arrests, searches and detentions that took place on Sunday, October 23, indicate that there is no place for dissent in Kyrgyzstan now,» human rights activists say.
It is especially worrisome that within the framework of these arrests, the Investigation Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs uses the «criminal case initiated under the article «Preparation for organizing mass riots» of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic», despite peaceful speeches and statements by opponents of the authorities.
From the appeal of the Coalition for Equality
Coalition members note that recently activists, human rights activists, bloggers and journalists, ordinary citizens have openly expressed their opinions and criticized the authorities for secrecy and lack of transparency in the issue of an agreement with Uzbekistan on Kempir-Abad reservoir.
They demanded to give them complete and exhaustive information on the agreement between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
«Despite the recent meetings of the President of Kyrgyzstan with the public and residents of Uzgen district of Osh region, the population and territories of which this issue is directly related to, not only activists, but also many citizens of the country have doubts and many questions to which they have not received an exhaustive answer,» human rights activists specify.
They recalled that cross-border problems of distribution of land and water resources are vital for the Kyrgyz people and should be resolved in the legal field, taking into account the opinion of the people and the Constitution, which stipulates that citizens of the country have the right to participate in the management of state affairs and their discussion.
«Their rights to access to information must be respected on the basis of transparency and publicity of the activities of state bodies. This is stated in the Law on access to information held by state bodies and local government bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic. Citizens have the right to express their opinion and political position on important issues, and the state is obliged to facilitate execution of this right without intimidating or suppressing protests. Reaction of the authorities to them must comply with Article 33 of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, which states that everyone is guaranteed access to and receipt of information held by state bodies, local government bodies and their officials, the Law on guarantees and freedom of access to information, standards in the field of human rights,» the human rights activists said.
The Coalition for Equality of the Kyrgyz Republic calls on the authorities to follow Article 24 of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, according to which «no one may be discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, language, disability, ethnicity, religion, age, political or other beliefs.» In order to preserve the stability and development of Kyrgyzstan, representatives of the Coalition ask to stop the political persecution of citizens who express their opinion, to ensure the safety of all detained activists, and to guarantee people their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of speech and participation in the process of making important decisions for the country.
A Committee for protection of Kempir-Abad reservoir was created on October 22. It includes activists, politicians and MPs. On the same day, in an interview with Kabar news agency, President Sadyr Japarov said: the authorities have information who was behind the rallies and marches on Kempir-Abad issue.
Mass arrests began on October 23. According to the latest data, Keneshbek Duishebaev, Erlan Bekchoroev, Aidanbek Akmatov, Asiya Sasykbaeva, Rita Karasartova, Atai Beishenbek, Klara Sooronkulova, Azimbek Beknazarov, Aibek Buzurmankulov, Zhenish Moldokmatov, Bektur Asanov, Nurlan Asanbaev, Gulnara Dzhurabaeva, Ravshan Dzheenbekov, Taalai Mademinov, Ulugbek Mamataev, Perizat Suranova, Chingiz Kapar, Ali Shabdan uulu, Talant Eshaliev, Kubanychbek Kadyrov were detained for 48 hours.
At least 21 people were placed in the pretrial detention center of the Main Internal Affairs Department of Bishkek and districts of Chui region. Ex-deputy of Parliament Kanat Isaev was also arrested for one month.
Searches were carried out in their homes, then detention orders were issued against activists and politicians.