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Let’s recap where things currently stand in #Kyrgyzstan from a human rights point of view, shall we?
In blatant violation of int’l law, Kyrgyz security services returned the journalist Bobomurod Abdullaev to #Uzbekistan today. After his arrest, they prevented his lawyers from meeting w him, did not inform his lawyers of an extradition order, nor allow Abdullaev to appeal.
They waited until Friday night, and whisked Abdullaev away in secret - actions that are calculated, cynical even. They cited diplomatic assurances as justification for sending him back - here’s a whole @hrw report on the problems w diplomatic assurances - https://www.hrw.org/report/2004/04/14/empty-promises/diplomatic-assurances-no-safeguard-against-torture
Abdullaev’s rendition to Uzbekistan follows the death in custody of human rights defender Azimjon Askarov in #Kyrgyzstan. Here’s my oped describing how ten years of human rights abuses by the Kyrgyz authorities is what actually killed him @hrw - https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/29/kyrgyzstan-must-answer-death-activist-azimjon-askarov
When Azimjon Askarov got sick in prison, they denied him adequate medical care. Indeed, they just let him die. @hrw called for an independent investigation into and accountability for his wrongful imprisonment and death. Kyrgyz officials bear responsibility for Askarov’s death.
Worryingly, in recent weeks police and security services have summoned for questioning journalists and others in #Kyrgyzstan for critical social media posts - https://eurasianet.org/kyrgyzstan-thin-skinned-authorities-hauling-in-commentators-for-questioning
And in June, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament rammed through rights- violating legislation before the summer break. Fortunately President Jeenbekov vetoed the draft law on manipulating information, but it still poses a threat - https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/06/30/kyrgyzstan-bills-curbing-basic-freedoms-advance
Kyrgyzstan’s partners should be worried about the human rights backsliding happening right now and urgently raise concerns w/ their counterparts in the Kyrgyz government. @un_kyrgyzstan @BritAmbCGarrett @EduardAuerEU @GermanyDiplo @eu_eeas @OHCHR_CentrAsia @EUSR_CA @oscebishkek
