EU concerned over recent raids and detentions of journalists in Kyrgyzstan News
AndyLeungHK / Pixabay
EU concerned over recent raids and detentions of journalists in Kyrgyzstan

The EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan expressed concern Thursday over Kyrgyz authorities’ recent clampdown on journalists and media offices operating in the country. The delegation specifically mentioned the recent spike in detentions of journalists and the searching and confiscation of property belonging to independent media offices.

The statement by the EU delegation, along with the embassies of 13 other EU nations, calls for the “Kyrgyz authorities to uphold their international human rights obligations and commitments and to protect freedom of expression and the integrity of journalists and media outlets.”

The US State Department also issued a press statement Thursday, saying that they are “deeply concerned” by the actions by Kyrgyz authorities. The State Department also said, “A free and independent press is essential for protecting human rights, maintaining effective democratic institutions, and promoting peace and security.”

The announcement comes days after the Kyrgyz State Committee for National Security raided the offices of news agency 24.kg, confiscating equipment and detaining journalists along with the editor-in-chief. The next day, authorities conducted further searches of other media outlets, arresting more workers. Altogether, 14 journalists have been detained.

The UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Liz Throssell issued a statement earlier in the week in response to raids. In it, she said that the “latest actions by the authorities appear to be part of a larger pattern of pressure against civil society activists, journalists and other critics of the authorities.”

The Kyrgyz Parliament is currently considering a draft law, restricting mass media and freedom of speech, which has been widely condemned by a range of international organizations and individuals. Among other areas of concern, it includes a provision that mandates state registration for mass media. There is a fear that this will create significant obstacles for diverse media outlets, including individual bloggers and citizen journalists to operate within the country.

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