14:17, 05 сентября 2023, Bishkek - 24.kg news agency , Elena KHOKHLOVA
International human rights organizations published a joint statement in which they expressed concern about the move of Kyrgyzstani authorities to close down Kloop Media Public Foundation, which manages the leading independent news portal Kloop.kg.
«We call on the Kyrgyzstani authorities to immediately withdraw the lawsuit to shut down the media organisation and to stop targeting it because of its independent, investigative and human rights-focused reporting. We also urge the EU and Kyrgyzstan’s other international partners to second this call and make it clear that the failure of the government to comply with its international obligations regarding freedom of expression and other fundamental freedoms will have implications for mutual cooperation,» the statement says.
As the human rights activists note, the accusations made against Kloop to justify the request to close it down are absurd, partly even ridiculous, and it is apparent that they stem from officials’ dislike of being publicly scrutinised, criticised and held to account. However, this does not diminish the threat that the lawsuit constitutes to the platform.
«The initiative to close down Kloop runs counter to Kyrgyzstan’s international obligations with respect to freedom of expression and the media, under which its authorities must facilitate free debate on issues of public concern and ensure that media outlets, publishers and journalists are not penalised solely for being critical of the government or the political social system it espouses. Investigative and critical reporting, such as Kloop’s, is a key element in ensuring transparency of political processes and accountability of those in power,» the statement says.
The initiative also falls short of Kyrgyzstan’s obligations to safeguard freedom of association. As pointed out by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, in accordance with such standards, the involuntary dissolution of an association should only be used as a last resort when there is a clear and imminent danger resulting in a flagrant violation of national law and other, less drastic measures have proved insufficient. It is clear that no such grounds are present in Kloop’s case.
«We, the undersigned NGOs, call on the Kyrgyzstani authorities to put an end to this alarming trend, which the initiative to close down Kloop fits into, and to ensure that media, online information platforms, civil society organisations, journalists, activists and human rights defenders can carry out their activities without fear and reprisals in the country. The EU and Kyrgyzstan’s other international partners should use any opportunity to deliver this message loud and clear to the authorities of the country. This should include effective follow-up on the recommendations made in the resolution on Kyrgyzstan adopted by the European Parliament on 13 July 2023, which among others, calls for a reassessment of Kyrgyzstan’s status as a beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+ trade scheme given the current crackdown on freedom of expression and the media in the country,» the statement says.
It was reported on August 28 that Bishkek prosecutor Emilbek Abdymanapov filed a lawsuit in court to liquidate Kloop.Media public foundation.
The lawsuit, in particular, states that «most of the publications are of a negative nature, aimed at discrediting representatives of state and municipal bodies», «Kloop.Media publications contain hidden manipulations of the opinion of the society, which are imposed negative processes that do not correspond to reality, and create opposition to any undertakings of the current government».
The prosecutor cites several headlines and materials from Kloop.kg, which, according to the oversight body, are sharply critical of the government.
The prosecutor’s office also accuses the public foundation of concealing a large amount of funds.