Kyrgyzstan: Media Responds to Human Rights Situation

UNCLAS BISHKEK 000055 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN AND SCA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAO KG SUBJECT: Kyrgyzstan: Media Responds to Human Rights Situation Ref: Bishkek 0038 ¶1. (U) Summary: Recent events, including the conviction and harsh sentencing of presidential candidate and former Minister of Defense Ismail Isakov on corruption charges (reftel) and Kyrgyzstan's downgraded rank in Freedom House's freedom index, have triggered an increase in negative articles on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan in the opposition media. End summary. ¶2. (U) On January 12, "Forum" (previously "El Sozu"),a newly launched, Kyrgyz-language opposition newspaper, featured a full-page editorial with the headline, "Farewell! Freedom is Leaving the Ala-Too People." The editorial criticized the government, stating that the country's leaders have not brought the country closer to rule of law, democracy and respect for human rights, but instead have failed politically and morally. After comparing the rosy picture of the country in the official press, the editorial ends with "Hey, Kyrgyz people! DonQt worry too much. The Bakiyevs will create their own organization even stronger than Freedom House and make us even freer than America." ¶3. (U) On January 19, "Forum" published an appeal to President Bakiyev from 33 hunger strikers demanding an end to political repression and terror, the release of political prisoners, and the freedom to protest former Defense Minister and presidential candidate Ismail Isakov's sentencing on corruption charges. There have been press reports that a curfew is in effect, preventing villagers from Isakov's home village from traveling. ¶4. (U) Another new newspaper, the Kyrgyz-language opposition newspaper, "Press.kg," was launched with an editorial entitled "You Don't Want to Become a Slave?" The paper described itself as a paper for those people who are ready to fight for a good and free Kyrgyzstan. The paper also carried a story under the headline "The Revolution is Devouring Its Own Children," referring to the fact that recently-sentenced former Defense Minister Ismail Isakov was one of the people who helped bring Bakiyev to power. The article stated: "Freedom of press is shrinking. Beating and killing journalists has become a common thing. A frightening atmosphere has been created. . . the Freedom House report is a sad message." ¶5. (U) Kyrgyz-language opposition newspaper "Nazar," which is backed by Social Democratic Party leader Almazbek Atambaev, ran an editorial entitled, "The Kyrgyz Nation is Being Crushed." The editorial commented, "Seeing what is going on, I can think nothing else but that the part of the Kyrgyz nation that wasn't crushed by others is being crushed by our own people." Atambaev separately did an interview with RFE/RL in which he criticized the United States for not speaking out against human rights abuses in Kyrgyzstan, stating that American officials find maintaining the Transit Center more important than the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan. ¶6. (U) On January 19, "Nazar," wrote, "The Kyrgyz people, unlike their neighbors, love freedom. Democracy is in our blood. We surprised the entire world by not tolerating 15 years of unfair governance and by overthrowing Akayev's regime. But now it is clear that our people were tricked and did not benefit [from the change of power.] Those who became leaders used all the fruits." In the same issue, "Nazar" printed an "appeal to the nation and political parties" signed by seven leaders of a newly-founded PeopleQs Council and the "To Save Kyrgyzstan" movement. The appeal advocates changing the whole political system through a series of constitutional reforms.