MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan, in particular the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov

B10‑0225/2024

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

(2024/2993(RSP))

The European Parliament,

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

A. whereas on 13 November 2024 Temirlan Sultanbekov, leader of the Social Democratic Party, and two other leading party members were arrested on vote-buying allegations; whereas the Bishkek Territorial Commission subsequently disqualified all of the party’s municipal candidates; whereas on 15 November 2024, a Bishkek district court ordered that the party officials be held in pre-trial detention until 13 January 2025;

B. whereas in 2016 the EU gave Kyrgyzstan special market access through the so-called Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+); whereas on 25 June 2024, the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic signed an Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) and that this agreement provides a new basis for reinforced political dialogue and deepening cooperation in many different areas; whereas different EU Member States are deepening their relationship with Kyrgyzstan; whereas in September 2024 German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov to discuss new investments in the energy sector and to forge new ties;

C. whereas on 14 March 2024 the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan adopted the “Law on Amending  the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Non-commercial Organisations”; whereas this law mandates that NGOs receiving foreign funding, or holding assets, and engaging in political activities must register as “foreign representatives”;

1. Considers that the EPCA between the EU and Kyrgyzstan will promote trade and investment, research and innovation and strengthen cooperation in the field of foreign and security policy; welcomes the Trade Chapter that will help to promote the further development of the Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that play a vital role in Kyrgyzstan’s economy; welcomes the steps that the Kyrgyz government has taken to encourage entrepreneurs to operate transparently;

2. Notes that during the 14th Human Rights Dialogue on 21 November 2024, the EU and Kyrgyz Republic discussed developments in the field of human rights and good governance, including ongoing political and legislative reforms; notes, in this regard, the law on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence that was adopted on 26 June 2024 by the national Supreme Council, providing strengthened access to justice for women and girls and removing the impunity for perpetrators of violence;

3. Emphasises that every country has a right to adopt legislation and regulation to prevent foreign interference in its internal affairs, protect national sovereignty, and oversee foreign funding to NGOs;

4. Welcomes the announcement on 4 December 2024 of the heads of the security services of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan that they had reached an agreement over the delimitation of their border; encourages the working groups to finalise the legal documents so that the ratification process can start;

5.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the European External Action Service, and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.