Kyrgyzstan Local Politics - The Times Of Central Asia

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International Organizations Call on Kyrgyzstan to Stop Crackdown on Independent Press

International organizations and media watchdogs have expressed concern about the arrests of independent journalists in Kyrgyzstan and called on the authorities to immediately release them and end pressure on the independent press. On January 15th, officers from the State Committee for National Security arrived at the offices of news agency 24.kg in Bishkek, seizing equipment and detaining three journalists, including its editor-in-chief, in a case involving "propagating war" related to an unspecified report about Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The three were later released, but ordered not to reveal details of the case. On January 16th, the Interior Ministry detained eleven journalists and media workers from the Temirov Live investigative group and the Ait Ait Dese project. Temirov Live's founder, prominent investigative journalist Bolot Temirov said the journalists who were detained after their homes and offices were searched included his wife and the director of the Temirov Live group, Makhabat Tajybek-kyzy. Police later placed all elevn under arrest for 48 hours, pending a court ruling on further custody measures. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that the searches and detentions were linked to a probe launched into unspecified Temirov Live publications that "carried elements of calls for mass unrest." “The search and sealing off of the premises of the 24.kg news outlet in Kyrgyzstan is deeply concerning,” OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro posted on Twitter. “Such criminal investigations may have a chilling effect on media freedom and reporting on important issues of public interest in the country.” UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, Liz Throssell also expressed concern. “These latest actions by the authorities appear to be part of a larger pattern of pressure against civil society activists, journalists and other critics of the authorities... We call on the authorities to protect freedom of expression and ensure that media legislation in the country is in line with international human rights standards,” she said in a statement.

Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy

Kyrgyzstan Bans Inspections of Businesses Until End of 2024

On January 9th, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov signed a Decree “On the introduction of a temporary ban (moratorium) on conducting inspections of business entities.” The Decree has been issued with the purpose of stabilizing the economic activities of businesses, ensuring the further development of the business environment, improving the investment climate, and eliminating unjustified and unnecessary interference by government bodies, the presidential press service said in a statement. The moratorium will run until December 31st, 2024. In a post on Facebook, President Japarov called on representatives of small and medium-sized businesses to report unjustified inspections to him. Japarov wrote that only enterprises against which a criminal case has been initiated will be subject to inspections. “If representatives of government agencies come to check businessmen without reason, without identifying signs of an economic crime, you can contact me through the Presidential Administration,” Japarov stated, promised that measures will be taken in such cases.

Central Asia Tajikistan Life & Culture Tajikistan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Tajikistan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Tajikistan Features Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Tajikistan Home

Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan Agree on Another Border Section

Delegations from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have conducted more work on the definition and designation of the state border, agreeing on the divination of another 11.88 km at a meeting in Buston held between the 17th and 23rd of December. The two parties also agreed to continue determining the remaining sections oat the next meeting to be held in Kyrgyzstan. A long-standing source of conflict between the two nations, it is emblematic of the problem that even the length of the border - sometimes cited as being 975-kilomtres long, and at others times 972-kilomteres - is rarely agreed upon. In January 2023, Tajikistan’s President Rahmon stated that 614-kilometres have been agreed upon, backtracking on a previously stated figure of 664. With its scant natural resources and dwindling water supplies, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan has been the scene of numerous skirmishes for many years. In 2014, all borders between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan were closed indefinitely to Kyrgyz and Tajik citizens following clashes over a bypass road in disputed territory; mortars were fired and both armies suffered casualties. In 2021 and 2022, troubles flared up again. Several hundred kilometers of the border have not yet been defined. This situation developed after the collapse of the USSR, leaving the parties unable to agree on dozens of disputed areas. The non-delimited territories become a conflict zone between the local population, and the border guards of the two countries became involved. The last major conflict occurred on September 16th 2022, as a result of which hundreds of people were killed and injured on both sides, and massive damage was caused to the infrastructure in Sughd and Batken. The Presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, Emomali Rahmon and Sadyr Japarov, have repeatedly discussed delimitation of the border. The situation in the disputed areas is also closely monitored by the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). In recent years, the authorities of the two countries have been actively negotiating to resolve this issue. Meetings have been held alternately on the territory of the two republics. Currently, more than 90%, or about 885 km of the border has been mutually recognized by States.

Kyrgyzstan Justice Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Features

Despite Protests, Kyrgyz President Signs Bill Amending National Flag

On December 22nd, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, signed a bill modifying the national flag, following its final approval by lawmakers two days prior. The legislators had noted that the depiction of yellow rays on a red field in the old flag resembled a sunflower. They proposed amendments to "straighten" the sunrays to create an image more closely resembling the sun. Several rallies protesting the change have been held since the proposal in October. Also on December 22nd, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Kyrgyz authorities to drop all charges against activist Aftandil Jorobekov, and to release him after he was arrested for openly protesting changes to Kyrgyzstan's national flag and charged with calls for mass disorder and civil disobedience. In a statement, HRW said that the charges brought against Jorobekov "violate his freedom of expression and right to peaceful assembly." "Jorobekov should not be facing criminal prosecution for opposing a government initiative or calling for peaceful protests, which are protected forms of expression,” HRW's Central Asia researcher, Syinat Sultanalieva, said. “The Kyrgyz authorities should drop the charges and release Jorobekov immediately.” The 39-year-old activist was detained on December 7th, a day after he voiced his disapproval of the bill and announced his plan to hold a peaceful protest in Bishkek's Gorky Park on December 9th. "Criticizing the government and calling for peaceful protest is not the equivalent of stoking mass unrest, and it is certainly not criminal," Sultanalieva said. "The Kyrgyz authorities should drop this absurd case against Jorobekov, and uphold his right to free speech and peaceful assembly." Meanwhile, many politicians, activists, and public figures in Kyrgyzstan continue to question the idea to change the national flag. Prominent Kyrgyz athlete and two-time world wrestling champion Jolaman Sharshenbekov wrote on Twitter on December 21st that he will continue raising the country’s old national flag at international tournaments and competitions. The head of the country's State Committee of National Security, Kamchybek Tashiev, immediately commented on Sharshenbekov's post, threatening unspecified repercussions for athletes who "even try" to raise anything other than the amended national flag at sports events. "The law is adopted, and we, the citizens, must obey," Tashiev wrote.

Kazakhstan Environment Kyrgyzstan Environment Kazakhstan Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Life & Culture Local Politics Kyrgyzstan Kazakhstan Life & Culture Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Kazakhstan

President Japarov: Kyrgyzstan Should Provide Irrigation Water to Kazakhstan

A UN resolution obliges upstream countries, including Kyrgyzstan, to provide water to downstream states, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov said on December 16th at the second People’s Kurultai (Congress) in Bishkek. Answering questions from the Kurultai delegates, the president said that the water problem would be solved through the construction of so-called ten-day and daily regulation pools. Such reservoirs will allow for the accumulation of water in winter and for it to be freely shared with neighbors downstream. The president said that Kyrgyzstan does not have a sufficient number of reservoirs, and, therefore, this year there was not enough water to supply to Kazakhstan. This past summer, the southern regions of Kazakhstan experienced a severe shortage of irrigation water for their fields. The construction of such reservoirs, the president explained, will meet the needs of Kyrgyzstan and, in addition, there will also be enough water to supply to downstream neighbors. The president also announced plans to build reservoirs. The reservoir construction program will last until 2027, he said.

Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan International Affairs Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan Local Politics Uzbekistan International Affairs Uzbekistan Local Politics

Consulate General of Uzbekistan Officially Inaugurated in Osh

The Consulate General of Uzbekistan celebrated its official inauguration in Osh city, fostering economic, cultural, and humanitarian ties and offering support to Uzbek citizens in the region. The ceremony drew notable figures like Vice Mayor Nurbek Kadyrov, Presidential Representative Elchibek Zhantaev, and Ambassador Khurshid Mirzakhidov, emphasizing the consulate's role in advancing cooperation. Zafarbek Akhmedov, a seasoned diplomat previously overseeing the Consular and Legal Department at Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heads this mission at 54 years old. Established in 2022, the consulate, led by Akhmedov, serves Batken, Jalal-Abad, and Osh regions in Kyrgyzstan.