Executive Director of the Soros Foundation — Kyrgyzstan Shamil Ibragimov said during a teleconference on the topic «Media Solidarity Network: Support for the Media Sector of the Kyrgyz Republic» that the alarming situation with freedom of speech in the country, negative trends and attempts to limit it were temporary.
According to him, the free space is really shrinking, ultra-right narratives are getting stronger, but many states have gone and are going through this path.
«Therefore, it is important to express solidarity. Understand that this is all temporary. We need to consolidate our efforts and face challenges with steadfastness. Similar processes of tightening and narrowing the framework are taking place in all countries, but they are temporary. It is impossible to completely suppress freedom of the media and self-expression,» Shamil Ibragimov said.
He was supported by the head of the Media Action Platform of Kyrgyzstan, Tamara Valieva. She added that the situation with freedom of speech, human rights in the Kyrgyz Republic was very complicated.
«Unfortunately, as we see, the leadership of our republic is using more stringent methods, showing all of us that it will not curtsey in front of international organizations. That is, listen to their persistent recommendations to stop the persecution of journalists and civil activists,» Tamara Valieva said.
Participants of the teleconference from Kyrgyzstan added that they intended to petition the international community, in particular the Council of Europe, in connection with the infringement of freedom of speech in the country.
