IPHR: Persecution of Critics Continues in Kyrgyzstan as Hopes for a Thaw Fade

The International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) has concluded that hopes for a relaxation of pressure on dissent in Kyrgyzstan have largely dissipated, despite the high‑profile removal of Kamchybek Tashiyev from the State Committee for National Security. In a report covering the period from mid‑March to mid‑August 2026, IPHR documents continuing prosecutions of journalists, bloggers and activists, new criminal cases, and sustained legal and regulatory measures that rights groups say are used to silence critical voices.

The report notes that Tashiyev’s departure initially raised expectations that the authorities’ approach to dissent might change. IPHR quotes its assessment in Russian: "Поскольку Ташиев во время своего пребывания в должности руководил расширяющейся кампанией против критиков власти, его уход первоначально вселил некоторую надежду на изменение подхода властей к инакомыслию. Однако, несмотря на некоторые ограниченные позитивные изменения, более широкая тенденция преследования критически настроенных голосов сохранилась, и были возбуждены новые дела." Those new cases and ongoing prosecutions, IPHR says, signal that structural problems remain.

IPHR highlights that President Sadyr Japarov publicly defends a narrow interpretation of freedom of expression that gives the state broad powers to suppress allegedly false or defamatory information. The report quotes: "В соответствии с этим подходом журналисты, блогеры, активисты и другие критически настроенные деятели продолжают подвергаться уголовному преследованию на основании широко сформулированных положений Уголовного кодекса." Rights groups point to multiple emblematic cases to substantiate their concerns.

Among the cases detailed by IPHR is Temirov LIVE journalist Mahabat Tajybek kyzy. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found her 2024 imprisonment unlawful, and the Supreme Court ordered a review. Although she was released from custody under an obligation not to leave the country, prosecutors have not dropped charges accusing her of inciting unrest; hearings in her case began in late August 2026. Activist and blogger Kanakei Aranova remains in a penal colony after a court sentenced her to three and a half years for Facebook posts allegedly inciting hatred and calling for violent seizure of power; she maintains the posts originated from a fake account, an assertion IPHR says independent investigations have corroborated.

The report also documents more ambiguous outcomes. Musician and poet Askat Zhetigen was released in August 2026 after serving a three‑year sentence for alleged calls for violent seizure of power on social media. Rights groups note that acquittals and pardons have occurred — for example, retired journalist Bayan Zhumagulova was acquitted in June 2026 of charges of inciting hatred and had a prior conviction and fine overturned — but say such cases do not remove the larger legal threat posed by broadly worded criminal provisions.

IPHR describes a fresh wave of pressure tied to a public debate over the long‑term lease of Kyrgyz land to foreign investors, including Chinese companies. The presidential press secretary, Dairbek Orunbekov, published photographs and personal information of dozens of rights defenders, activists, journalists, lawyers and opposition figures and openly threatened criminal prosecution. Rights groups and others criticized the post’s threatening tone and raised concerns that some photos may have been obtained from the state digital services platform "Тундук". While authorities say they have opened a preliminary probe following complaints, it is unclear whether any substantive action has been taken against the official; the post remains publicly accessible.

IPHR also flags legislation and administrative acts that it says continue to constrain civic space. The so‑called foreign agents law remains in force and, according to a UN study cited by IPHR, deters civil society activity. Since April 2026, NGOs registered before that date must disclose information about owners who control an organization or face fines for non‑compliance. Restrictions on peaceful assembly are another persistent problem: a ban on protests in central Bishkek, including Ala‑Too Square and near key government buildings, has been repeatedly extended and was in force through mid‑September 2026. IPHR writes: "Введение полного запрета на протесты в центре Бишкека представляет собой чрезмерное ограничение свободы мирных собраний, защищенной Конституцией Кыргызстана и международными стандартами, и препятствует в осуществлении этого права вблизи правительственных зданий." Proposed amendments to the Law on Peaceful Assemblies would further strengthen local authorities’ powers to confine protests to designated sites and to define routes without prior court approval, effectively criminalizing demonstrations outside those locations.

The report warns that a recently adopted media law and draft rules targeting bloggers risk accelerating media closures and self‑censorship. The media law requires registration for traditional and online outlets and allows judicial liquidation of media that receive more than three warnings in a year for broadly defined offenses such as calls for violent change or incitement of ethnic discord. A draft separate law on bloggers under development at the Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy would require popular bloggers to register with the tax authorities. Taken together, IPHR concludes, these measures create a legal environment that enables selective enforcement against critics and undermines the ability of journalists, activists and NGOs to operate freely in Kyrgyzstan.