U.S. Helsinki Commission Condemns Media Attacks in Kyrgyzstan
US Lawmakers Condemn Arrests and Raids on Independent Media in Kyrgyzstan
U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson and Co-Chairman Senator Ben Cardin have spoken out against the recent detention of journalists and raids on independent media in Kyrgyzstan. In a joint statement, the lawmakers called on Kyrgyz authorities to end the ongoing assault on freedom of the press.
The statement expressed condemnation for the recent arrests and raids on independent media in Kyrgyzstan, including the search of 24.kg’s office, confiscation of equipment, and detention of journalists on vague and spurious charges. The lawmakers also expressed concern over the criminal investigation into 24.kg for alleged ‘propaganda of war,’ stating that this poses a direct threat to press freedom.
The raid on Temirov Live’s office, the arrest of eleven current and former staff, and the subsequent criminal investigation into publications by Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese were also highlighted as alarming attacks on press freedom in Kyrgyzstan. It was noted that these actions, along with the blocking of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz Service in 2022, undermine the fundamental principles of democracy and signal a severe deterioration of press freedom in the country over the past two years.
The lawmakers expressed solidarity with the journalists at risk and called on Kyrgyz authorities to immediately stop criminal investigations into independent outlets, release individuals in detention, and end the crackdown on independent media. Furthermore, they called on the parliament and president to reject a new draft media law that would give the government unfettered control over Kyrgyz media.
The statement comes in response to the recent events in Kyrgyzstan, including the raid on 24.kg news agency’s office and the subsequent interrogation and confiscation of equipment and personal mobile phones of employees. The search was conducted as part of a criminal case under the article “Propaganda of War” of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.
On January 16, the office of Temirov Live was also searched, and editorial equipment was confiscated. Eleven current and former employees were detained as part of criminal proceedings initiated against them for “calling for riots.”
All detainees were placed under arrest until the end of the investigation, and they are currently being held in Bishkek pretrial detention center 1 until March 13.
The joint statement by the U.S. lawmakers sheds light on the troubling developments in Kyrgyzstan and calls for an immediate halt to the crackdown on independent media and journalists. It remains to be seen how Kyrgyz authorities respond to these calls for action to uphold press freedom in the country.
