General Information about the Country:
• Population, Capital, Official Languages, Religion, and Geographic Location
Kyrgyzstan, also known as the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia with a population of approximately 7,3 million people. Its capital and largest city is Bishkek. The official languages are Kyrgyz, a Turkic language, and Russian, which also holds official status and is widely used in government affairs and business.
The predominant religion in Kyrgyzstan is Islam, primarily Sunni Islam. Additionally, there are small Christian communities, predominantly of the Russian Orthodox denomination.
Geographically, Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, Tajikistan to the south, and China to the east. The country is largely mountainous, with approximately 80% of its territory covered by the Tien Shan and Pamir mountain ranges. This mountainous terrain contributes to a diverse climate, ranging from continental to alpine conditions.
Political System:
• Form of Government, Key Political Parties, and Leaders
Kyrgyzstan operates as a presidential republic with elements of a semi-democratic political system. The president wields significant executive powers, although these are partially checked by the parliament. The country has undergone several political transitions, often triggered by protests and revolutions that resulted in leadership changes and constitutional amendments.
Key political parties include:
1. Ata-Jurt Kyrgyzstan – A nationalist party advocating for Kyrgyz sovereignty and social conservatism.
2. Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) – Formerly the ruling party, known for its left-wing policies and alignment with former President Almazbek Atambayev.
3. Respublika – A center-right party focusing on economic reforms and liberalization.
4. Birimdik (Unity) – A pro-presidential party supporting the current government.
The current president, Sadyr Japarov, assumed office in January 2021 following a period of political unrest. His administration prioritizes strengthening presidential authority and implementing economic reforms. The political landscape remains unstable, with ongoing debates concerning the balance of power between the presidency and parliament.
• Recent Elections and Their Results
The 2021 snap presidential election occurred after mass protests led to the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. The unrest erupted following the announcement of preliminary results from the October 4, 2020 parliamentary elections, which were annulled by the Central Electoral Commission due to allegations of widespread fraud.
The repeat parliamentary elections on November 28, 2021, were marked by numerous irregularities, including reports of pressure on voters and candidates. Observers faced significant challenges in monitoring the process, while independent media and journalists reported harassment. These incidents raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the elections.
State of Democracy:
• Freedom of Speech and Media Independence
Historically, Kyrgyzstan stood out in the region as an “island of freedom,” where journalists and dissidents could express their views without significant restrictions. However, since 2021, the situation has deteriorated amidst President Japarov’s attempts to consolidate power, following the authoritarian models of other Central Asian states.
Since then, there has been an alarming increase in attacks on journalists, arrests, and heightened censorship. Notable cases include the forced closure of Radio Azattyk, criminal investigations into Kaktus Media, the deportation of investigative journalist Bolot Temirov to Russia, and the imprisonment of Next TV director Taalaibek Duishenbiev. In August 2024, Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court upheld the liquidation of the Kloop Media Public Foundation, signaling a severe decline in civil and political freedoms.
Repression against media has become systematic. In January 2024, 11 journalists associated with Temirov Live were arrested following raids on their homes, with many facing criminal charges in retaliation for their reporting. Meanwhile, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz service has faced frozen bank accounts and website blockages.
• Freedom of Assembly and Association
On June 6, 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s security services detained approximately 30 members of the “Eldik Kenesh” political party on allegations of plotting to overthrow the government. Authorities accused the group of planning to incite public unrest and seize power by mobilizing discontented citizens.
In October 2022, more than 20 individuals protesting against the transfer of the Kempir-Abad Reservoir to Uzbekistan were arrested. The group, comprising activists, human rights defenders, bloggers, and politicians, faced charges of inciting riots, punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Over a year later, they remained in detention, including under house arrest, in conditions that violated international standards. The Kempir-Abad case was classified in January 2023, limiting defense lawyers’ access to case materials. Court hearings, which began on June 22, 2023, were held behind closed doors, with detainees reporting ill-treatment and denial of medical care.
Political Persecution and Repression
Throughout 2023, Kyrgyz security services targeted bloggers for their social media posts, often using vague provisions of the Criminal Code, such as incitement to ethnic or national hatred (Article 330) and calls for disobedience to authorities and riots (Article 278). One notable case involves 20-year-old Facebook blogger Yrys Zhekshenaliev, who was detained in August 2022 and placed under house arrest. If convicted, he faces up to six years in prison.
In January 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s Supreme Court acquitted Kamil Ruziev, head of the human rights NGO Ventus, of forgery charges brought against him in 2020 by the State Committee on National Security (GKNB). These charges were widely viewed as retaliation for his efforts to hold security service officers accountable for the alleged torture of detainees.
Human Rights
• Key Human Rights Violations
Gender-based violence, including domestic violence, bride kidnapping, and forced marriages, remains pervasive in Kyrgyzstan. Although laws exist to protect women from violence, enforcement is often weak, and many cases go unreported or unresolved due to cultural stigmas, mistrust of law enforcement, and inadequate legal protections.
Women are underrepresented in political and public life, and discrimination in employment and education persists.
Corruption among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and public officials leads to unequal application of the law and impunity for human rights violations.
• State of Civil and Political Rights
Ethnic minority populations in Kyrgyzstan, particularly Uzbeks in the south, continue to face discrimination and unequal treatment, especially in the aftermath of the 2010 ethnic violence. Uzbeks have reported being disproportionately targeted by law enforcement, experiencing arbitrary detention, torture, and unfair trials.
Reports by International Organizations
The recent dismissal of Ombudswoman Atyr Abdrakhmatova was met with regret from the international community. It highlighted the critical importance of adhering to the Paris Principles regarding National Human Rights Institutions.
The European Parliament has urged Kyrgyz authorities to cease pressuring Radio Azattyk and other media outlets and to ensure a safe working environment for civil society organizations, journalists, and media workers. Additionally, the parliament called on the Kyrgyz government to refrain from circumventing EU sanctions imposed on Russia for its war of aggression against Ukraine.
Reforms and Prospects
• Current or Planned Reforms in Democracy and Human Rights
Leaders from the European Union and Central Asia have encouraged the development of initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperation between the EU and the region. Priorities include enhancing collaboration between think tanks and civil society and implementing joint training programs for Central Asian diplomats.
One of the threats to media freedom is the controversial “foreign agents” law adopted by parliament in March 2023. Although primarily aimed at regulating nonprofit organizations, the law poses risks to the media sector. Reporters Without Borders has warned that the law could lead to arbitrary suspension of media activities, as many Kyrgyz publications operate as public funds supported by foreign grants.
In January 2023, Kyrgyz authorities increased monthly social benefit payments for adults and children with disabilities by 50–100%, depending on the degree of disability. Services of personal assistants were also extended to adults with childhood-onset first-degree disabilities. In August, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection proposed a resolution to align socio-medical disability assessments with the standards of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Despite these advancements, access to rehabilitation centers for women and girls with disabilities remains limited, as do shelters for survivors of domestic violence.
• Prospects for Improvement in the Near Future
In February 2023, Kyrgyzstan became a member of the UN Human Rights Council. Authorities were called upon to uphold fundamental freedoms, including media freedom and freedom of expression, in accordance with the EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
Kyrgyz authorities and lawmakers have also been urged to repeal controversial laws, such as the “false information” law, and to review proposed laws on “foreign representatives,” “mass media,” and “protecting children from harmful information,” which conflict with Kyrgyzstan’s international commitments.
Recommendations for the Foundation
• Organize meetings and discussions with representatives of independent Kyrgyz NGOs based abroad and international human rights organizations.
• Assist in combating arbitrary restrictions on internet access by ensuring compliance with international standards of necessity, proportionality, and legality.
• Promote legal and media literacy among citizens, teaching them to identify and utilize reliable information sources.
• Conduct public awareness campaigns to enhance transparency, accountability, and fairness in elections by educating citizens on their electoral rights.
• Provide legal, financial, and psychological support to human rights defenders. Establish safe spaces, emergency assistance programs, and international solidarity networks to enable activists to continue their work despite risks.