A group of 15 organizations has written a letter to four international finance institutions (IFIs) that are financing projects in Kyrgyzstan (Asian Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank and World Bank) to share serious concerns regarding the draft law on “foreign representatives”, known officially as the Draft Law “On Amendments to the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic “On Non-Commercial Organizations”.
In the joint letter, we urge these institutions to take concrete actions and jointly call on the Kyrgyz authorities to:
- Immediately withdraw the draft law on “foreign representatives”, as well as the draft law on mass media, making it clear that these initiatives are contrary to the principles and objectives of the development assistance programmes of IFIs in the country and that their adoption could result in the reconsideration of these programmes for the reasons set out above.
- Take concrete and effective measures to ensure that space for civil society and independent media remains open in the Kyrgyz Republic, in accordance with the recommendations of international human rights bodies.
- Agree to the creation of a platform that includes, among others, members of independent civil society, for promoting cooperation to solve socially impactful problems in the country.
If adopted, the law will pose a serious threat to the success of development activities in Kyrgyzstan. The law would inevitably create a climate of fear, preventing people, including workers, human rights defenders and civil society organizations, from speaking out due to fear of reprisals. This comes at a time when the Kyrgyz authorities are already cracking down on freedom of expression more broadly, such as the recent imprisonment of 11 journalists.
Check out the full letter below and help us share it widely.
Signatories
- Chinara Aitbayeva, NGO Nash Vek, Head of the Coalition of the External Aid Monitoring Network, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
- Sadicha Konakbayeva, Leader of the community based NGO KAREK, Kyrgyzstan, Barskoon village
- Maria Kolesnikova,The Director of Move Green, a Youth environmental movement in Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
- Ilgiz Kambarov, Head of the Association “Green Alliance”, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
- Djamilya Kaparova, Head of the NGO “Diamond”, Kyrgyzstan, Osh, Gender expert
- Coalition for Equality, International Federation for Human Rights, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
- Tolekan Ismailova Public Association “Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino”, Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek
- Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Center for Civic Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize 2022, Ukraine, Kyiv
- Aina Shormanbayeva, President at International Legal Initiative, Public Foundation, Kazakhstan, Almaty
- Yevgheniy Zhovtis, Director, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
- Mark Fodor, Coordinator, Defenders in Development campaign
- Brigitte Dufour, Director, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR)
- Manana Kochladze, Strategic Area Leader, CEE Bankwatch Network
- International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)
- Rayyan Hassan, Executive Director, NGO Forum on ADB
- Mary Aileen Bacalso, Executive Director, Forum Asia
- Steve Swerdlow, Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights, University of Southern California
- International Accountability Project
