The international human rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to cancel deportation order of investigative journalist Bolot Temirov.
On November 23, the Bishkek City Court ruled to expel journalist Bolot Temirov from Kyrgyzstan. After the decision was made, Temirov was handcuffed and taken out of the courtroom. He was later deported to Russia.
As the organization notes, given the significant concerns about due process in his case, including the removal of his Kyrgyz passport, Temirov should be allowed to return to Kyrgyzstan to challenge his removal and continue his work as a journalist.
«Investigative journalism is a critical element of freedom of the media,» said Syinat Sultanalieva, Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch. «Kyrgyz authorities should reverse his apparently arbitrary deportation and allow him to continue his professional activities in Kyrgyzstan.»
Temirov’s lawyers expressed concern over the procedural violations with which Temirov was deported from the country. He was not allowed to see his family or collect his personal belongings, and it remains unclear which travel documents were used in the process, as his Russian passport was with his family.
As the HRW stresses, international human rights law prohibits the removal of someone from a country without due process or to a country where they could face mistreatment or torture.
«Kyrgyz authorities should cease all attempts at punishing journalists for their professional activities and respect the country’s international human rights commitments,» Sultanalieva said. «Bolot Temirov should be able to continue his journalistic investigations without any hindrance.»
