PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDTABLE: EMBASSY

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001136

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SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDTABLE: EMBASSY


BISHKEK'S POINTS

REF: STATE 125456


1. (U) SUMMARY: The Embassy has actively supported
Kyrgyzstan's burgeoning democracy, and has taken great
strides to promote human rights and civil liberties through
direct, public engagement with government officials and civil
society, NGOs, and religious groups. U.S.-funded projects
have also benefited these efforts, with local and
international partners working to advance human rights
activities throughout the country. While the level of
government cooperation has fluctuated, Kyrgyzstan continues
to recognize the importance of adhering to democratic
principles. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) Following a series of public uprisings, starting with
the March 2005 "revolution" that brought President Bakiyev to
power, the Kyrgyz Government's (GOKG) respect for democracy
and human rights improved in several areas. These include
freedom of assembly, fewer incidents of military hazing,
improved prison conditions, some accountability for abuses by
law enforcement officials, and modest anticorruption efforts.
Relations with the opposition and civil society activists
have also improved slightly, with a decrease in reprisals for
anti-government actions.


3. (U) Despite these improvements, however, serious problems
remain. Members of the security forces at times tortured or
abused persons, often with impunity. Arbitrary or unlawful
killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and the
disappearance of and failure to protect refugee and asylum
seekers continue to be problematic. Prison conditions remain
very poor, contributing to prison riots and attempted
suicides. Restrictions on citizens' rights to change their
government persist, but are less severe than in previous
years. A lack of judicial independence amid pervasive
corruption also remains a serious problem, limiting citizens'
rights to due process. Additionally, trafficking in persons,
violence against women and children, child labor, and
discrimination against ethnic minorities are also concerns.


4. (U) The U.S strategy to promote democracy and human rights
focuses on strengthening democratic institutions, including
constitutional reform, increasing observance of human rights,
combating corruption, supporting civil society, and promoting
independent media. The United States maintains close contact
with independent journalists, human rights activists,
religious clerics, and politicians from across the political
spectrum, while encouraging dialogue between the government
and civil society. The Ambassador and visiting senior U.S.
officials, including Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, met
frequently with members of the government, civil society and
human rights groups to encourage reform. The Embassy has
also hosted a series of roundtables with journalists,
students, and civil society activists in several regions of
the country to discuss the need for further reform. In
addition, the Ambassador implemented an active public
diplomacy program to help build support for reform.


5. (U) Promoting media freedom and freedom of speech remains
a top priority. In bilateral and multilateral meetings, U.S.
officials regularly encourage the government to bring its
media laws in line with international standards, in
particular by rescinding criminal penalties for libel and
transforming state-owned television into an independent
entity. President Bakiyev signed legislation allowing for
the creation of an independent board for state television.
In April, state security services confiscated the print runs
of two opposition newspapers during a raid on an independent
printing press. The Kyrgyz government acted to remedy the
situation: the newspapers were allowed to resume operations,
the prime minister publicly apologized for the raid, and the
prime minister attended a press freedom event that the
embassy organized at the printing press. The United States
continues to provide training to journalists from electronic
and print outlets in an effort to improve professional
standards and clarify the legal framework for media
operation. Kyrgyz media professionals have also been sent to
the U.S. to learn about the role of the media in a democratic
society. The United States continues its support of the
Media Support Center, which is the only independent printing
press in the country and Central Asia. The first independent
Central Asian news syndicate was launched with U.S. funds.
U.S.-funded projects increased the professionalism of women
journalists and coverage of women's issues and human rights.


6. (U) The Ambassador and other U.S. officials regularly
encourage the government to curb and publicly denounce NGO
harassment. When an NGO leader was assaulted in 2006 by

unknown assailants and sustained head injuries, the
Ambassador visited him in hospital and pressed the government
to conduct an independent investigation, hold the
perpetrators accountable, and ensure the leader's safety.
The United States continues its strong support for a wide
variety of programs designed to strengthen civil society and
advocacy through a network of nine support centers that
provide training, grants, legal assistance and other services
to NGOs throughout the country. These centers are joined
into the countrywide Association of Civil Society Support
Centers that advocates at the national level on civil society
issues.


7. (U) The United States and the European Union jointly and
successfully pressed the government to exercise restraint and
respect freedom of assembly during the numerous rallies and
protests throughout the year which, by and large, took place
peacefully. A U.S. grant enabled a local foundation to
monitor respect for freedom of assembly with the goal of
supporting citizen activism and increasing awareness of
democracy and human rights.


8. (U) The United States continues to support legal and
judicial reform, transparency, and provides strong diplomatic
support to anticorruption efforts. The Millennium Challenge
Corporation Board has approved a Threshold Country Program
for Kyrgyzstan targeting reforms in the judiciary, the
procuracy, and law enforcement. If implemented successfully,
the program, which includes elements of oversight by civil
society, will bring about a marked improvement in the respect
for human rights. The U.S. also supports the human rights
defenders' network which monitors prisons and pretrial
detention facilities in an effort to prevent detainee abuse.
The network also reports on human rights abuses around the
country and works with authorities at the local and national
levels to prevent further abuses. The United States provided
a series of 28 small grants to local NGOs to protect human
rights, provide civic education, foster the rule of law and
promote the use of conflict prevention and resolution
techniques.


9. (U) In 2006 the United States urged the GOKG to turn over
to UNHCR for third-country resettlement four Uzbek refugees
and one Uzbek asylum seeker who remained in detention after
having fled the 2005 violence in Andijon. Following
continuous advocacy efforts by U.S. authorities in both
Bishkek and Washington, the Secretary sent a letter to
President Bakiyev reiterating the U.S. position. Despite
U.S. recommendations, however, the GOKG forcibly returned
these individuals to Uzbekistan. The United States publicly
denounced this in Bishkek, Washington, and at the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. U.S.
officials also called on the GOKG to conduct an impartial
investigation into the disappearance of other Uzbek asylum
and refugee seekers.


10. (U) To promote religious freedom, the United States
maintains regular contact with representatives of various
religious communities and has funded several Muslim religious
leaders to visit the U.S. through IVLP. In 2006 the
Ambassador hosted Iftar dinners for Muslim leaders in Bishkek
and Osh, sponsored a roundtable on religious freedom and
visited the Islamic University and mosques. The Deputy Chief
of Mission addressed a crowd of over 50,000 worshipers in
Bishkek's main square on the Feast of Eid, which marks the
end of Ramadan. Post intends to hold similar events during
this year's Ramadan celebration as well.


11. (U) The United States continues to play a leading role in
combating human trafficking. On numerous occasions U.S.
officials lobbied the GOKG to employ more effective means to
combat trafficking. The USG supported a three-year project
to combat trafficking in the country, with a particular focus
on labor trafficking. The United States also sponsored
anti-trafficking campaigns as well as seminars and training
sessions aimed at law enforcement officials involved in
anti-trafficking efforts.


12. (U) The GOKG's self-initiated efforts to promote
democracy and human rights remain somewhat limited, due
mainly to lack of financial resources. However, the
president has made recent steps to seek a cooperative
dialogue with NGOs and civil society, as the GOKG implements
its three-year, socio-economic focused Country Development
Strategy. Reforming the constitution remains a top priority
for the government, as Kyrgyzstan strives to achieve a true
balance of powers. Reducing penalties for misdemeanor
crimes, abolishing capital punishment, and addressing

pre-trial detention issues are also signs of improved
attention to human rights. Enabling anti-government
demonstrations to occur unhindered is yet another example of
Kyrgyzstan's respect for freedom of assembly and civic
action. While instances of harassment against opposition
groups continue, the Kyrgyz remain committed to promoting and
supporting human rights efforts.
YOVANOVITCH