Eight international human rights organizations on Friday condemned Kyrgyzstan authorities’ decision to liquidate investigative outlet Kloop Media, one week after the Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court upheld the decision.
The organizations, which included Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International and Civil Rights Defenders, denounced the decision in a joint statement, warning that the suppression of independent media in Kyrgyzstan signals an alarming deterioration of civil liberties. The organizations specifically argued that the Kyrgyz government is targeting independent media to stifle dissent and criticism.
HRW Europe and Central Asia director Hugh Williamson stated, “The forced closure of Kloop Media not only silences a crucial voice in Kyrgyz society but also signals a continued decline in respect for civil and political rights.”
Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov, however, defended the court’s decision earlier this week. He dismissed the claims that press freedom is under threat and argued that Kloop’s reporting was biased and aimed at discrediting officials for personal gain. Japarov said that anarchy, gossip and false information are not freedom of speech, implying that investigative journalism is still supported provided it remains objective.
Kloop and other media outlets, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kyrgyz service, have faced legal pressure, arrests and website bans in recent months. The legal battle against Kloop Media began in August 2023, when the Bishkek City Prosecutor’s Office filed a lawsuit seeking the liquidation of the media outlet. Authorities claimed that Kloop operated beyond its charter by engaging in journalistic activities, which were not explicitly mentioned in its founding documents.
Despite widespread criticism from both domestic and international groups, the Oktyabrsky District Court ruled in favor of the government on February 9, 2024, and ordered Kloop’s closure. Appeals followed but were rejected by both the Bishkek City Court and the Supreme Court. On August 29, 2024, Kloop announced that the Supreme Court had upheld the liquidation order, effectively exhausting all legal options. Throughout this period, the Kyrgyz government blocked Kloop’s website and intensified its crackdown on independent media.
Kloop Media was founded in 2007 and gained prominence for its coverage of corruption, human rights abuses and political issues, including during the 2010 Kyrgyz revolution. Its investigations have exposed significant irregularities in governance, often leading to sharp criticism of the authorities.
