The National Center for Prevention of Torture welcomes the decision of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek to dismiss the criminal case against Kazakh activists Askhat Zheksebaev and Diana Baimagambetova. The accused were released from custody in the courtroom without being expelled from the republic and returning to their homeland, where they were likely to be subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
Human rights activists note that the court ruling indicates that Kyrgyzstan, as a full and responsible member of the UN, fulfills its international obligations to protect human rights and, in particular, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, and the Convention on Legal Aid and Legal Relations in Civil, Family and Criminal Cases.
In their opinion, the judges of the Oktyabrsky District Court of Bishkek set a positive example for other courts in the country and even neighboring countries on how to follow/adhere to the rules and norms of international judicial and human rights practice.
The center believes that Diana Baimagambetova and Askhat Zheksebaev should be granted political asylum in Kyrgyzstan.
Recall, citizens of Kazakhstan were detained in Bishkek in November 2022. According to investigators, the activists tried to cross the Kyrgyz-Uzbek border. They were detained at Dostuk-Avtodorozhny checkpoint and placed in remand center 1.
