EP Plenary: Speech by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell on the crackdown on media and freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan
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Thank you, President, Honourable Members,
The European Union is extremely concerned about the Kyrgyz Republic’s recent decisions around freedom of expression, freedom of speech and freedom of the media.
The new draft law on ‘Mass Media’, in addition to the previously adopted law on the ‘Protection Against False (Unreliable) Information’ is worrying.
We are closely following deliberations in the Kyrgyz Parliament.
Since 2021, when the Law on Disinformation was introduced in Kyrgyzstan, the Ministry of Culture is legally entitled to shut down any media outlet it deems problematic.
It allows the government to block certain types of information without a court order, solely on the basis of a complaint by either a private person or a legal entity. This is a blatant violation of the right to freedom of expression.
We are also witnessing serious threats against human rights activists and journalists, for example against Mr Bolot Temirov, who was illegally expelled to Russia in May 2022.
And we are seriously concerned by the recent court decision to close Azattyk media, the local branch of Radio Free Europe.
We are systematically raising our concerns about the freedom of press and media in Kyrgyzstan, as well as general concerns about the human rights situation, with the Kyrgyz authorities at every level.
During the annual EU-Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Dialogue in September 2022, we expressed strong concerns about the negative trend for fundamental human rights, notably the shrinking space for civil society and the increasing pressure on freedom of speech.
We also raised a number of individual cases, including those of the journalists Mr Bolot Temirov and Mr Kamil Ruziev.
We reiterated our concerns during the latest Cooperation Council with Kyrgyzstan on 15 November 2022 in Brussels.
The signature and entry into force of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the Kyrgyz Republic will strengthen our partnership, but also increase the European Union’s leverage.
As part of the agreement, both the European Union and Kyrgyzstan commit to respecting democratic principles, human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the principles of the rule of law.
The European Union will continue to support human rights activists and civil society in Kyrgyzstan, as we do worldwide. This is a fundamental principle of the European Union.
The European Union frequently issues statements in support of activists who are under pressure by law enforcement, and attends and monitors court cases where human rights activists are involved.
In the last 20 years, we have provided more than €30 million to projects related to rule of law and human rights. For example, with our ongoing ‘Monitoring for Justice’ project we are supporting the Kyrgyz state and civil society in putting in place monitoring mechanisms to improve scrutiny of human rights compliance, identifying protection gaps and contribute to effective enforcement.
The EU Delegation is currently also evaluating new proposals for additional EU-funded civil society initiatives.
At the same time, the Kyrgyz Republic has committed to upholding universal human rights internationally.
And, as a current member of the UN Human Rights Council, it bears a special responsibility in this regard.
Honourable Members,
Let me reassure you that the European Union will continue monitoring developments in Kyrgyzstan closely.
And we will continue calling on the authorities for accountability, if they do not respect fundamental rights enshrined in the country’s Constitution, its laws and the international conventions it has signed up to.
Thank you.
Link to the video (starting from 11:57): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-243834