More than 100 people — representatives of the intellectual class of Kyrgyzstan, artists and cultural figures, scientists, activists and journalists — expressed concern about the situation around Azattyk Media. Azattyk reports.
Appeal to the President Sadyr Japarov, Speaker Nurlanbek Shakiev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Akylbek Japarov, Chairman of the State Committee for National Security Kamchybek Tashiev and the public of Kyrgyzstan, states that «blocking of the website and freezing of bank accounts does not comply with either the Constitution or laws.»
«Freedom of speech is a fundamental value of the Kyrgyz people, kept and protected by them for many centuries. It is not for nothing that the Kyrgyz say that you can cut off the head, but you can not silence people. It should be noted that Azattyk Radio played a significant role in the formation of an independent Kyrgyzstan, made an invaluable contribution to the achievement of freedom, which the Kyrgyz people dreamed of, and for which our ancestors fought during the Soviet period,» the appeal says.
The authors of the appeal call on the country’s leadership to assist in ensuring the activities of Azattyk Media and restoring its full-fledged work.
More than 100 people signed the appeal, including People’s Poet Shailoobek Duysheev, Academician Abdygany Erkebaev, Professors Kyyas Moldokasymov and Tynchtykbek Chorotegin, current deputies of the Parliament Zhanarbek Akaev, Elvira Surabaldiyeva, Mirlan Samoykozho, Dastan Bekeshev and a number of other parliament members, ex-deputies of Parliament Kanybek Imanaliev, Abdyvakhap Nurbaev, Aaly Karashev, Mirlan Zheenchoroev, Aisuluu Mamashova and others, political and public figures, writers, activists and journalists.
On October 27, the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of Kyrgyzstan announced that it had suspended the operation of Radio Azattyk website for two months. The ministry noted that on September 16, the Current Time resource (subordinate structure of Azattyk Media) published a video entitled «Heavy fighting on the border of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan», in which «elements of hate speech, unconfirmed information about the alleged attack by the Kyrgyz side on Tajikistan were used, as well as information that aggravates the situation in society and causes hatred, discrimination and division among citizens when covering events in Batken region.»
In a statement issued the same day, RFE/RL President Jamie Fly said the broadcaster had reviewed the content in question and found «no violation of standards.»
