What changed

B100222/2024

European Parliament resolution on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, in particular the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, in particular the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov

(2024/2993(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Rule 150 of its Rulesprevious ofresolutions Procedure,on Kyrgyzstan,

whereas the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan has significantly deteriorated in 2024, with the crackdown on critical voices and the restrictions on media freedom and freedom of expression;

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Temirlansearches Sultanbekov,were leaderrecently conducted at the headquarters of the Kyrgyzstan Social Democrats party,party campaign(SDK); managerwhereas Irinaahead Karamushkinaof the November 2024 municipal elections, a Bishkek district court ordered the pre-trial detention of SDK leader Temirlan Sultanbekov and other party memberofficials Rozauntil Tyurksever13 January 2025; whereas they were arrested on 13vote-buying November,allegations, awith fewan daysaudiotape beforeof localunknown electionsorigin wereserving heldas inthe Bishkek;primary whereas,evidence, followingfor which the arrests,judicial theauthorisation Bishkekis Territorialunclear Electionand Commissionits disqualifiedconnection allwith the party's municipaldetainees candidates;unknown; whereas the threeSDK detaineesdemonstrated werethat remandedpayments into custodycampaign untilstaff, 13as Januaryreferred 2025;to in the recording, were transparent; whereas SultanbekovMr hasSultanbekov startedbegan a hunger strike in protest on the day of his arrest and his healthphysical iscondition has since been seriously deteriorating; whereas the Bishkek Election Commission disqualified the party’s municipal candidates in Bishkek;

whereas Sultanbekov's case is part of a larger pattern of human rights violations in Kyrgyzstan; whereas several journalists, bloggers, and human rights defenders (HRD) including women rights defenders, have been detained and some media have been closed;

B. whereas in recent years, democratic standards and human rights in Kyrgyzstan have deteriorated alarmingly;

whereas the Kyrgyzstani authorities have adopted in the last year repressive legislations, including a law against so-called foreign representatives that criminalizes HRDs and a law that criminalizes the “non-traditional sexual relations", stigmatizing LGBTQI people; whereas the authorities have continued to abuse security laws on so-called “incitement of mass civic unrest,” to crackdown on HRDs and journalists;

C. whereas independent media, such as Kloop, Temirov Live, Ait Ait Dese and Azattyk, journalists and bloggers continue to face repression; whereas both the judiciary and vigilante violence are increasingly being used to suppress political opponents and civil society critics;

Condemns the shrinking of civic space in Kyrgyzstan and the attacks on dissenting voices;

D. whereas the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kyrgyzstan and the EU is subject to the Parliament consent procedure and requires Kyrgyzstan’s full compliance with its duty to protect human rights and uphold democratic standards;

Urges the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release arbitrarily detained members of the opposition, human rights defenders, journalists and bloggers, in particular Temirlan Sultanbekov, Irina Karamushkina, and Roza Tyurksever;

1. Is concerned by the dubious reasons for the detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov and other pro-democracy activists in Kyrgyzstan and the possible political motivation behind the criminal case against them;

Urges the authorities to abide by their international human rights obligations and respect freedom of expression, of association and of peaceful assembly, the independence of the judiciary and the right to a fair trial and to a due process for all ;

2. Urges the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release Mr Sultanbekov and other party officials and adopt alternative measures to detention, while respecting their right to due process in line with the civil and political rights guaranteed under the Kyrgyz constitution and international obligations; calls on the authorities to ensure his safety and well-being;

Calls on Kyrgyzstan authorities to create and maintain, in law and in practice, a safe environment for civil society organisations, journalists and media workers, and politicians, enabling them to carry out their legitimate and useful work without undue interference, criminalisation, censorship or persecution;

3. Urges the Kyrgyz government to halt its campaign of intimidation and legal persecution against opposition parties, independent media outlets and journalists; is concerned by the adoption of the Russian-style ‘foreign agents’ law; urges the Kyrgyz authorities to drop all charges against human rights defenders, including Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy, Azamat Ishenbekov, Aktilek Kaparov and Ayke Beishekeeva, journalists from the Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese channels;

Urges the authorities to ensure the full enjoyment of electoral rights by everyone, and that all political parties can conduct an equal, free and transparent electoral campaign and enable the organisation of free and fair election;

4. Calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect human rights and uphold democratic standards and fundamental freedoms in line with the EPCA and the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus;

Strongly calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to withdraw or repeal repressive laws that limit freedom of expression, political freedoms, and the legitimate activities of civil society and those that criminalize the expression of dissent;

5. Calls for all EU institutions and bodies, in particular the EU Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, to continue to voice their grave concern over the deterioration of human rights with the Kyrgyz authorities, and to consider other action should the situation deteriorate further;

Underlines the need for a EU-Central Asia strategy based on mutually beneficial cooperation and also designed, implemented and monitored in line with human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals, and in cooperation with local civil society organisations, including women rights organisations, environmental activists and trade unions;

6. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the VP/HR, the EU Special Representative for Central Asia, the Member States, the UN Human Rights Council and the Kyrgyz authorities.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the EU institutions, Member States, and the Government and Parliament of Kyrgyzstan.