UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell commented on the detention and arrests of politicians and activists in Kyrgyzstan. The statement is published on the website of the organization.
As noted, more than 20 people, including activists and bloggers, remain in pre-trial detention in Kyrgyzstan after police raided their homes and arrested them at the weekend. They were placed in pre-trial detention for two months on October 24 and face serious criminal charges, including what is termed «organising mass riots, associated with violence».
«Those detained are part of a group set up to protect a reservoir in south-west Kyrgyzstan — the Kempir-Abad reservoir — which the Kyrgyz government, under a border delimitation agreement, would transfer to neighbouring Uzbekistan. The charges against them are widely seen as being linked to their publicly raising their concerns on this issue and their demands for more transparency in government decision-making,» the statement reads.
«We call on the authorities to ensure they are fully afforded their due process and fair trial guarantees under international law, including being brought promptly before a judge and able to challenge the lawfulness of their detention,» the UN Human Rights Office spokesperson says.
We also remind the authorities that these individuals are presumed innocent and that pre-trial detention should be an exception and resorted to only where reasonable, necessary and provided by law, in line with international human rights norms and standards.
Liz Throssell
«We also call on the authorities to ensure there is meaningful information-sharing and participation among a wide array of stakeholders in developing policies. People’s rights to freedom of expression and access to information, along with their right to public participation, should be upheld. With regard to the Kempir-Abad reservoir, there should be effective consultation with the local population,» she stressed.
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 searches began on October 23; more than 20 people were detained and placed in remand centers of Bishkek and Chui region.
Ex-deputy of Parliament Kanat Isaev was placed in the remand centre 1 of the capital for one month. Activists Atai Beishenbek, Chyngyz Kaparov, Ali Shabdan, Taalaibek Mademinov, Erlan Bekchoroev, Rita Karasartova, Ulukbek Mamataev, Perizat Suranova, Nurlan Asanbaev, journalist Aidanbek Akmatov, ex-ambassador Azimbek Beknazarov, ex-deputies Ravshan Dzheenbekov, Asiya Sasykbaeva, Kubanychbek Kadyrov, ex-plenipotentiary representative of the President in Talas region Aibek Busurmankulov, ex-governor of Jalal-Abad region Bektur Asanov, leader of Turan party Zhenish Moldokmatov, ex-Secretary of the Security Council Keneshbek Duishebaev, ex-member of the CEC Gulnara Dzhurabaeva, ex-judge of the Constitutional Court Klara Sooronkulova and member of Political Council of Butun Kyrgyzstan party Akyl Aitbaev were placed in the remand centre 1 of Bishkek for two months. Talant Eshaliev was placed under house arrest for health reasons.
