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.