Due to the tragedy of September 11 and the ensuing war in Afghanistan, the former Soviet Central Asian republics have drawn an unprecedented amount of attention worldwide. Once almost unknown to the American public, Uzbekistan, Tadjikistan and Kyrgyzstan have now become the United States' closest allies in the war on terror. But, as the recent events in Kyrgyzstan suggest, the already poor human rights situation in the region has not only remained the same, it has worsened.

Turgunaliev meets Lorne Craner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, and his staff

On February 22, 2002, Topchubek Turgunaliev, former political prisoner and leader of the Erkindik Party, one of the first democratic movements in Kyrgyzstan, wrapped up his visit to the United States at the invitation of the International League for Human Rights. During his meetings with top policy makers on Central Asia, civic leaders and media in Washington D.C. and New York, Mr. Turgunaliev spoke about the intensified crackdown on human rights in his country, which was once proudly hailed an "island of democracy."

Mr. Turgunaliev, himself a witness to the increasingly repressive policies of President Akaev having been imprisoned four times for a total of 1,184 days, spoke about the waves of popular discontent which have recently spread around the country. Hundreds of people have participated in a political hunger strike demanding the release of Azimbek Beknazarov, former head of the parliamentary Committee on Judicial Reform who was arrested on what is widely considered to be politically-motivated charges.

Kyrgyzstan's already tarnished human rights record has been further undermined by the government's renewed crackdown on independent media. Mr. Turgunaliev criticized governmental decree #20 which, in effect, prohibits the work of any independent publishing house in Kyrgyzstan. The country's only publishing house, Uchkun, which is controlled by the government, has refused to publish some of the few remaining independent newspapers, including the Russian-language Moya Stolitsa and Kyrgyz-language Aghym.

While speaking with Lorne Kraner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights, and his staff, Mr. Turgunaliev spoke about the necessity to support Kyrgyzstan's non-governmental organizations as well as its fledgling independent media and received assurances that the U.S. government will continue to raise these issues in dealing with its Kyrgyz colleagues, such as the delegation led by Kyrgyzstan's Deputy Prime Minister Tanaev who had signed decree #20 and whose visit coincided with Mr. Turgunaliev's. One concrete step to assist the independent media that the State Department officials promised to make was creation of an independent printing press in Bishkek, a project currently discussed with the Kyrgyz government. Mr. Kraner also pledged that the new and increased level of financial assistance to Kyrgyzstan will go to strengthen the country's civil society, including independent NGOs.

While in Washington, Mr. Turgunaliev also had meetings with Richard Hoagland, director of State Department's Office of Caucasus and Central Asian Affairs and at the National Security Council, office of Senator Brownback, Congressional Subcommittee on Middle East and South Asia; Helsinki Commission (CSCE); National Democratic Institute; International Republican Institute. In addition, Mr. Turgunaliev gave a briefing at Radio Liberty.

In New York, Mr. Turgunaliev had meetings at Freedom House, Human Rights Watch and gave presentations at Open Society Institute and Columbia University Middle Eastern Institute.

The International League for Human Rights is a non-governmental human rights group devoted to defending defenders of human rights around the world.

For more information contact Peter Zalmayev of ILHR, 212-661-0480, ext. 100; pzalmayev@ilhr.org

Back