The Committee for Protection of Kempir-Abad reservoir appealed to the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The appeal was posted on Facebook.
It is specified that the group of well-known public and political figures of Kyrgyzstan asks the head of Uzbekistan to postpone the planned signing of an agreement with the President Sadyr Japarov until the problematic and controversial issues around this strategic, vital water body are clarified.
«We also would like to notify you that some documents that are part of the agreement being drawn up between the states are being pushed through with gross violation of the constitutional norms established by law, the political foundations and democratic achievements of the Kyrgyz Republic. To discuss the issue and make a decision on Kempir-Abad / Andijan reservoir, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan held only two meetings of the profile committee on international affairs, defense, security and migration of the Parliament. The discussion was held in closed to the public mode, with the deputies being provided with an incomplete list of documents and information. Subsequently, the chairman of the committee was removed from his post for refusing to sign the final decision,» the appeal reads.
The authors of the appeal also note that as a result of illegal and incompetent actions by the authorities of Kyrgyzstan, the public demand for a transparent discussion of the signed agreement led to mass arrests of representatives of civil society, politicians, activists and human rights activists, intimidation of residents of border villages.
«Twenty-seven activists are now charged with a serious crime. All of them are currently in remand center. One is wanted. We strongly protest against the repressive actions of the authorities and believe that border issues should be discussed and agreed with the public in order to avoid new conflicts in the future. We call on the parties to take a more careful and balanced approach in resolving the issues and consequences of the joint management of Kempir-Abad / Andijan reservoir, so that they become a source of benefit, and not quarrels between two close peoples who will live in friendship and peace for the next centuries and millennia,» the appeal says.
The 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.
A number of international human rights organizations such as the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), the Norwegian Helsinki Committee (NHC), the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights (HFHR), Freedom Now and others issued a statement calling for the immediate release of politicians and activists arrested in Kyrgyzstan.
