Rally against transfer of Kempir-Abad held in Bishkek

Rally against transfer of Kempir-Abad reservoir to Uzbekistan is held in Bishkek.

The protesters first came to the White House. However, after they were asked to go to the Maxim Gorky park, the protesters decided to go to the indicated place on foot.

Some of them tried to appeal to the deputies near the Parliament building, but the police read out the ruling to ban the rallies.

As a result, the people came to the Maxim Gorky park. They shouted on the way: «We will not give Kempir-Abad away.»

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 arrests began on October 23. Authorities placed 26 people in jail on charges of preparing for riots.

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.