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

B10‑0230/2024

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 its previous resolutions on Kyrgyzstan,

—  having regard to the EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement,

—  having regard to the EU-Kyrgyzstan 14th Human Rights Dialogue of 21 November 2024,

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

1. Whereas Kyrgyzstan has been regarded as the most democratic country in the region with a vibrant civil society and free media; whereas the situation has been changing in recent years with a growing crack down on independent media and an authoritarian remodelling of Kyrgyzstan’s media sphere;
2. Whereas legislation that targets independent media, civil society organisations ’activities and religious freedom has a negative impact on the Kyrgyz society and is in direct contravention of Kyrgyzstan’s international commitments;
3. Whereas ahead of November’s municipal elections, a Bishkek district court ordered the pre-trial detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov, leader of the Social Democrats Party, and of 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; whereas that same day, Sultanbekov began a hunger strike in protest and since then his physical conditions are seriously deteriorating; whereas following the allegations the Bishkek Territorial Election Commission announced none of the Social Democrats’ candidates in Bishkek were eligible to compete;

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1. Expresses concern at the backsliding of political opposition, media freedom and freedom of expression in Kyrgyzstan and arbitrary arrests, acts of violence, harassment, intimidation and censorship against independent media, journalists and bloggers in the country, as well as against political opposition, civil society, religious minorities, marginalised and vulnerable groups;
2. Calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to urgently release Sultanbekov and the other party officials and to ensure their right to due process and that their political and civil rights are fully upheld;
3. Calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to respect human rights and uphold democratic standards and fundamental freedoms in line with the EU-Kyrgyzstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP +) and for the benefit of all citizens of Kyrgyzstan;
4. Urges the Kyrgyz parliament to retract its support from the “false information law” and the law on “Foreign Representatives”;
5. Calls on the Kyrgyz government to avoid assisting the Russian Federation in evading sanctions imposed on Russia over its war of aggression against Ukraine;
6. 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 parliaments of the Member States and the Government and Parliament of Kyrgyzstan.