What changed

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

B100224/2024

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

(2024/2993(RSP))

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan,

– having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4)107 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas searches were recently conducted at the headquarters of the Kyrgyzstan Social Democrats party (SDK); whereas ahead of the November 2024 municipal elections, a Bishkek district court ordered the pre-trial detention of SDK leader Temirlan Sultanbekov and other party officials until 13 January 2025; whereas they were arrested on vote-buying allegations, with an audiotape of unknown origin serving as the primary evidence, for which the judicial authorisation is unclear and its connection with the detainees unknown; whereas the SDK demonstrated that payments to campaign staff, as referred to in the recording, were transparent; whereas Mr Sultanbekov began a hunger strike in protest on the day of his arrest and his physical condition has since been seriously deteriorating; whereas the Bishkek Election Commission disqualified the party’s municipal candidates in Bishkek;

– having regard to Rules 150(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

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

Whereas ahead of November municipal elections in Kyrgyzstan, searches were conducted at the headquarters of the Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan (SDK) on 13 November 2024; whereas the Bishkek Territorial Election Commission subsequently disqualified all of the party's municipal candidates in Bishkek;

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;

Whereas Temirlan Sultanbekov, the leader SDK and party members Irina Karamushkina, and Roza Turksever, were unlawfully detained and remanded into custody for two months; whereas Mr Sultanbekov is currently on hunger strike to protest his unjust continued detention and the disqualification of his party, and is refusing from medical assistance;

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;

Whereas Mr Sultanbekov was denied legal representation, and pressured to withdraw his candidacy in the elections; whereas following his refusal, he was denied his rights under Kyrgyz electoral law;

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;

Whereas on 17 November 2024 a criminal case was opened under the "Vote buying" article of the Criminal Code of Kyrgyzstan, based on an audio recording allegedly discussing vote buying among undetermined people; whereas the existence of a judicial authorization for the recording is unclear and its connexion with the detainees is unknown; whereas Mr. Sultanbekov denies the charges and no credible evidence was presented at the time; whereas the SDK demonstrated that payments to campaign staff were transparent and through legal banking channels;

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;

Whereas the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) between Kyrgyzstan and the European Union, signed on June 2024, is meant to provide a new framework for relations among both parts, including on human rights and democracy;

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;

Whereas the EPCA is subjected to the Parliament consent procedure and to the full compliance of Kyrgyzstan’s protection of human rights and democratic standards;

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;

Condemns the unlawful detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov and other pro-democracy activists in Kyrgyzstan; is concerned by the possible political motivations behind the criminal case against him;

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;

Expresses concern over the targeting and weakening of opposition forces, alongside civil society, independent media, and economic entities, deteriorating the human rights’ situation in Kyrgyzstan;

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.

Urges Kyrgyzstan authorities to immediately release Mr Sultanbekov and other pro-democracy activists, or to adopt alternative measures to detention; calls on the authorities to drop politically motivated charges against him;

Regrets that it has been more than 28 days of his hunger strike, which significantly worsens his health condition; calls on the authorities to ensure his safety and well-being;

Calls on the EU Delegations and EU Member States’ embassies to the country to closely follow the situation; calls on EU Member States’ to raise these concerns with the Kyrgyz authorities;

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