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UN PhotoOHCHR / KYRGYZTAN TURK VISIT
STORY: OHCHR / KYRGYZTAN TURK VISIT
TRT: 03:42
SOURCE: OHCHR / UNFPA
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 20 MARCH 2025, BISHKEK, KYRGYZTAN
1. Various shots, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk walking through Bishkek (Duboviy Park, Ala-Too Square, Old Square) with the head of OHCHR Central Asia, Matilda Bogner, and spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani
2. Various shots, High Commissioner meeting with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
3. Various shots, streets of Bishkek
4. Various shots, High Commissioner meets Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulubaev
5. Various shots, streets of Bishkek
6. Various shots, High Commissioner meets Edil Baisalov is a Kyrgyz politician, who currently serves as the Deputy prime minister
7. Still pictures, High Commissioner meets President Zhaparov of Kyrgyztan (*hand out form the Kyrgyz presidency)
8. Wide shot, press conference
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“What I have found is that Kyrgyzstan is at an inflection point. In recent years, a series of steps have been taken that have narrowed the space for civil society to function independently.”
10. Wide shot, press conference
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I am concerned about the number of cases of pre-trial detention and the criminal prosecution of journalists, bloggers, activists, human rights defenders and political opponents in relation to their exercise of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.”
12. Wide shot, press conference
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“Such emblematic cases are always an alarm bell. When individuals reporting on serious issues that affect all of society, such as corruption, feel under threat, the resultant lack of independent scrutiny can be deeply damaging. It means problems remain unaddressed.”
14. Wide shot, press conference
15. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“Creating an enabling environment, where all the people of the country can contribute effectively regardless of their gender, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability or other status, benefits everyone.”
16. Wide shot, press conference
17. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“I understand that air pollution in Bishkek can get particularly bad in the winter, with this beautiful city ranked as number one on global air pollution indices over several days last winter. It will be important for environmental impact assessments, particularly in relation to extractive activities, to be carried out in consultation with affected communities and made public. Breathing clean air is a key element of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.”
18. Wide shot, press conference
19. SOUNDBITE (English) Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights:
“As I said to President Zhaparov, and in all my interactions over the past two days, I came here in the spirit of friendship and solidarity with the people of Kyrgyzstan. And with the conviction that human rights provide the best guide through situations where different interests need to be balanced.”
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk on Thursday welcomed the Kyrgyzstan Government’s engagement with his Office, particularly at this time of global upheaval on the multilateral and human rights fronts.
Speaking a news conference at the end of an official to the country, Türk said Kyrgyzstan has been experiencing strong economic growth, and has the benefit of a rich variety of civil society organisations and a solid legal and institutional framework.
He also acknowledged Kyrgyzstan’s recent border delimitation agreement with Tajikistan, following years of tensions and clashes, adding it would now be key to ensure its implementation in line with international human rights law.
Türk told reporters there were worrying signs of undue restrictions on civil society and independent journalism, creating a climate of increasing fear and self-censorship.
“What I have found is that Kyrgyzstan is at an inflection point,” the High Commissioner said. “In recent years, a series of steps have been taken that have narrowed the space for civil society to function independently.”
“I am concerned about the number of cases of pre-trial detention and the criminal prosecution of journalists, bloggers, activists, human rights defenders and political opponents in relation to their exercise of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly.”
“Such emblematic cases are always an alarm bell. When individuals reporting on serious issues that affect all of society, such as corruption, feel under threat, the resultant lack of independent scrutiny can be deeply damaging. It means problems remain unaddressed.”
He said one human rights defender told him of her hesitation in demanding access to information and advocating for the rights of the people of Kyrgyzstan: “We cannot protect their rights because we are worried about being called foreign representatives and facing charges ourselves.”
Human rights NGOs have reported widespread self-censorship, with some amending their charters to avoid activities that may be qualified as “political activities” under the law. They worry that stigmatization of their work creates an environment in which people become reluctant to seek their help or cooperate with them, Türk said.
The High Commissioner welcomed the initial strengthening of legislation on gender-based violence and hope that this process will be taken further forward. There is a need to ensure its full implementation – notably by law enforcement agencies and the justice system – in a gender-sensitive manner and providing justice to the victims of violence, he added.
“Creating an enabling environment, where all the people of the country can contribute effectively regardless of their gender, racial or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability or other status, benefits everyone,” Türk added.
Another issue of local and global importance was the imperative to protect the environment, the High Commissioner said. With young people forming at least 35 per cent of the population of Kyrgyzstan, finding ways to mitigate the inter-generational impact of climate change was a priority.
“I understand that air pollution in Bishkek can get particularly bad in the winter, with this beautiful city ranked as number one on global air pollution indices over several days last winter,” Türk said.
“It will be important for environmental impact assessments, particularly in relation to extractive activities, to be carried out in consultation with affected communities and made public,” the High Commissioner said, adding he had advised the Government to consider adopting and enhancing the air quality legislation, especially given the impact on the health of children and older people.
“Breathing clean air is a key element of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” he said.
“As I said to President Zhaparov, and in all my interactions over the past two days, I came here in the spirit of friendship and solidarity with the people of Kyrgyzstan. And with the conviction that human rights provide the best guide through situations where different interests need to be balanced,” Türk said.
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