KGZ 001 / 0114 / OBS 004
Intimidation / Burglary
Kyrgyzstan
January 20, 2014
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint programme of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Kyrgyzstan.
Description of the situation:
The Observatory was informed by reliable sources about the second burglary of the offices of the Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino” and targeted intimidation and threats against Ms. Tolekan Ismailova and her family. Ms. Ismailova is the leader of “Bir Duino” and FIDH Vice-President.
According to the information received, in the night of December 26, 2013, unknown perpetrators broke into the office of the Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino” in Isanova Street in Bishkek. They broke two safes and stole some money (33,000 som - around 485 EUR) as well as the video surveillance camera and five laptops that contained a lot of key data of “Bir Duino”. A criminal investigation was opened on December 27 by the Investigation Department of the Pervamaysky District of Bishkek, which has not led to any result as of today.
Back in July 2013, unknown perpetrators had already broken into “Bir Duino” second office on Juvenal Justice, in Sydykova Street in Bishkek. They stole two computers and data from the computer of Mr. Ashirov Abdykerim, a lawyer who had worked with “Bir Duino” on strategic cases and suddenly died on June 28, 2013. An investigation opened by Leninski District Police Department has brought no results as of today.
In parallel, Ms. Ismailova and her family have faced a series of acts of harassment since the beginning of 2014. On January 1, 2014, at 3am, Ms. Ismailova received a call from Ms. Aziza Abdirasulova, another human rights defender, who was concerned about Ms. Ismailova’s whereabouts. Ms. Abdirasulova had indeed received information about Ms. Ismailova’s and her family’s alleged departure from Kyrgyzstan from a journalist of radio “Azattyk”. In reality, Ms. Ismailova has not left Kyrgyzstan and has no intention of doing so.
In addition, on January 6, 2014 at 10.30 am, as two of Ms. Ismailova’s daughters and grandson were at home, somebody tried to open the front door with a key. When they wanted to see what was going on outside, the person had already gone.
The very next day, on January 7, 2014, Ms. Ismailova noticed two suspicious men outside the flat. On her question for whom they were waiting for such a long time, the men did not answer. When she repeated the question, they said that they were waiting for a man named “Misir” who actually was not living in the area.
Furthermore, on January 8, 2014 at 18:09, somebody knocked and then kicked at the front door of the flat. Footprints were found on the door afterwards.
The Observatory believes that these acts are related to the professional activity of Ms. Ismailova and are aimed at intimidating her and paralysing the work of the Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino”. The Observatory notes that harassment intensified following some “Bir Duino”’s activities in December. Indeed, on December 23, 2013, Ms. Ismailova, together with a member of Parliament, Mr. Abdumanap Kutushev (from the Kyrgyzstan Social Democrat Party), was invited by radio “ Azattyk” to talk about the negative influence of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) on the enjoyment of human rights in Kyrgyzstan and on the territory of post-Soviet countries. Previously, on December 18, “Bir Duino” published its 2013 annual report, and on December 22, during a meeting with the Anti-Corruption Council of the General Office of Public Prosecutor, Ms. Ismailova also presented the results of prison monitoring undertaken by “Bir Duino” in Kyrgyzstan.
The Observatory condemns the attack on “Bir Duino”’s office and the series of acts of intimidation against Ms. Ismailova and her family. The Observatory urges the authorities of Kyrgyzstan and the local police to take immediate action to ensure their safety. The Observatory also calls upon the Kyrgyz authorities to ensure that Ms. Ismailova and the Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino” can continue their legitimate work.
Background information:
The Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino”, previously known as “Citizens Against Corruption”, is one of the oldest and most active human rights organisations in Kyrgyzstan. The Observatory notes that due to its activities it has long been a target of harassment, but has received neither support from the government nor protection from the police.
“Bir Duino” defends all human right and does not shy away from the very politically-sensitive topics such as corruption, transparency in extractive industries and the negative influence of security organisations (such as SCO and CSTO) on human rights.
Moreover, “Bir Duino” fights for the release of Mr. Azimjan Askarov, a prominent human rights defender who in 2010 was sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of organising mass disturbances and causing the death of a policeman during the 2010 riots in South Kyrgyzstan.
“Bir Duino” organises the annual International Film Festival on Human Rights, where it screens films that sometimes address human rights issues that are controversial in Kyrgyzstan. The Observatory recalls that “Bir Duino” and Ms. Ismailova personally had previously faced threats because of their attempt to show the film “I am Gay and Muslim” at the 6th International Film Festival on Human Rights in 2012. Following these threats, Ms. Tolekan Ismailova did not receive any protection from the authorities. Just to the contrary: the State Committee of National Security (SCNS) sent her an official warning that read as follows: “according to the decision by the State Commission of Religious Affairs, based on point 6.1 of Article 1 of the ’Law on Combating Extremist Activity’, the film is considered ’extremist’ and its diffusion and broadcasting within the territory of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan might encourage religious hatred and set the scene for mass disorder”. The warning is still in force and should Ms. Ismailova decide to screen the film ’I am Gay and Muslim’, she will face the charges of extremist activity.
At the 7th International Film Festival on Human Rights in 2013, “Bir Duino” attempted to screen a film about Mr. Askarov, made by Freedom House. On September 20, 2013, the day before the screening in the cinema “Manas” in Bishkek, a group of protesters demanded that the film be taken off the agenda. On September 21, 2013, another group tried to disrupt the festival. They threatened the organisers of the festival, shouted nationalist slogans and urged viewers to leave the cinema. The screening in Bishkek took place, but the film was taken off the agenda in other cities visited by the festival.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Kyrgyz authorities, urging them to:
i. Guarantee in all circumstances the physical and psychological integrity of Ms. Tolekan Ismailova, all “Bir Duino” members and all human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan;
ii. Order an immediate, thorough, transparent investigation into the above-mentioned events against Ms. Tolekan Ismailova, her relatives and the premises of the Human Rights Movement “Bir Duino”, in order to identify all those responsible, bring them before an independent tribunal, and apply them the sanctions provided by the law;
iii. Put an end to all acts of harassment against Ms. Tolekan Ismailova and all human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan;
iv. Comply with all the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, in particular with:
– its Article 1, which provides that “everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels”;
– its Article 5 (a): “For the purpose of promoting and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, at the national and international levels (a) To meet or assemble peacefully”;
v. Ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards and international instruments ratified by Kyrgyzstan.
Addresses:
· Mr. Almazbek Atambaev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Chuy Ave, 205, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Fax: + 996312626191
· Mr. Abdulda Suranchiev, Minister of Internal Affairs, Frunze st. 469, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Fax: + 996312682044 / + 996312623853,Eemail: pressa226@mvd.kg
· Ms. Aida Salyanova, General Prosecutor of Kyrgyzstan, Fax: +996312661734
· State Committee of National Security, Erkindik blvd 70, Bishkek 720040, Kyrgyzstan, Fax: + 996 312 66 00 24
· H.E. Ms. Gulnara Iskakova, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Kyrgyzstan to the United Nations in Geneva, Rue Maunoir 26/Rue du Lac 4-6, 1207 Geneva, Switzerland. Fax: +41 22 707.92.21 Email: kyrgyzmission@bluewin.ch
· Embassy of Kyrgyzstan in Brussels, 47 rue de l’Abbaye, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium, Fax: + 32 2 640 01 31, Email: kyrgyz.embassy@skynet.be
Please also write to diplomatic representations of Kyrgyzstan in your respective countries.