May 23, 2013 – On May 22, 2013, the Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović voiced appreciation to the Tajik government for its cooperation during the SRT’s 2012 visit. He also recognized the urgency in implementing national legislation that meets international human rights standards and discussed the importance of non-refoulement.
Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Category Archives: Kyrgyzstan
Freedom House-Freedom House Combats Torture in Kyrgyzstan
January 10, 2013 – Freedom House made a lot of efforts to combat torture since 2002, when the Kirgyzstani authorities denied the existence of torture cases and pointed human rights organizations acts as simple manipulation to get grants. However, one year later, after those accusations, the Ministry of Interior said that the conditions of detention in Kyrgyzstan constitute torture by themselves. The Kyrgyzstani government took different measures and also different non-profit organizations started investigations about the conditions of prisoners and the torture cases. Nevertheless, nine years after, the Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez, noted the torture practices in Kyrgyzstan were still happening and urged international aid to combat torture, because of the levels of violations of human rights. The creation of the National Center for Prevention of Torture and the Memorandum of Understanding from 2012 2012 mark a milestone in Kyrgyzstan‚ efforts to prevent torture.
Kyrgyzstan News Agency-None of Criminals, Working in Law Enforcement Agencies, Punished for Torture-Stuart Kahn
December 17, 2012 – Stuart Kahn representative of Freedom House in Kyrgyzstan mentioned the Special Rapporteur’s confirmation of widespread of torture in Kyrgyzstan and highlighted that criminals that work in law enforcement agencies are not punish for commit torture.
Open Society Foundation-Azimjab Askarov Takes his Torture and Unfair Trial in Kyrgyzstan to Human Rights Committee
November 13, 2012 – Juan E. Mendez, the Special Rapporteur on Torture noted the constant failure by the police in order to investigate complaints of torture. An example of this lack of commitment is Azimjab Askarov case, a leader Human Rights, who was recognized by Amnesty international as a prisoner of conscience, was tortured since his arrest in 2010, through his unlawful process that ended in a life imprisonment sentence. Until today he was denied to receive any medical treatment. Now he appeals to the United Nations with the hope of receiving fair process.
Committee to Protect Journalist – In UN complaint, Azimjon Askarov Seeks Justice, Freedom
November 13, 2012 – Through the case Azimjon Askarov v. Kyrgyz Government, one of many victims of torture describes in detail his arbitrary detention during ethnic conflicts in Kyrgyzstan, his repeated beating in his hands, the fabrication of criminal charges against him, intimidation and limitation against victims witnesses to testify in trial. Domestic courts denied appeal, but this action is challenged by the Kyrgyzstani Ombudsman, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Special Rapporteur on torture. The complaint is looking for a release and the creation of a Commission of Inquiry to analyze the situation that Kyrgyzstan is leaving.
Freedom House-Kyrgyz Republic Takes Key Steps to Combat Torture
June, 2012 – The Kyrgyzstani Government is taking different measures after the Special Rapporteur on torture and ill-treatments reported that the use of torture in order to obtain confession was widespread and the conditions on detention constitute a cruel and inhuman treatment. On June 2012 a government-civil society Memorandum of Understanding was signed between government ministries, OSCE, Freedom House and other 13 human rights organizations, in order to improve prevention and investigation on torture and ill-treatment cases. By passing the law on the National Center for Prevention of Torture, the Kyrgyzstani Government demonstrated its commitment to eliminate torture and accomplish its obligations internationally.
APT-Action Plan to Combat Torture in Kyrgyzstan
May 15, 2012 – The APT is organizing a one-day-high-level-conference with the participation of the Special Rapporteur Juan Mendez. The objective is to discuss the recommendations of the Rapporteur founded in his report, and to draft an action plan to combat torture and ill-treatment.
The Free Library- UN Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez Urges International Community to Assist Kyrgyzstan in Fight Against Torture
March 7, 2012-The Special Rapporteur on torture and ill-treatment stressed the need to improve laws in order to fight against torture. He urged international community to assist Kyrgyzstan. Some of the recommendations were to increase penalties against torture, eliminate the use of torture in courts, promote legislative reforms, and provide effective guaranties to torture’s victims. Finally he highlighted the importance to establish the National Preventive Mechanisms under the protocol against torture.
APT Kyrgyzstan: High Time to Act Against Torture
March 12, 2012 – The Special Rapporteur’s mission found very disturbing acts of torture that follow the same pattern: asphyxiation with plastic bags and gas masks, punches and beatings with truncheons, the application of electric shock, the introduction of foreign objects into the anus, or the threat of rape. The Rapporteur described the situation in some of the prisons as “appalling”. Additionally, the deficiencies in the investigations provoked impunity despite the efforts to establish the National Preventive Mechanisms (NPM). Since 2008 the promised law for NPM still lies before parliament.
Eurasianet.org-In Kyrgyzstan, Prison Riot Reveals Cracks in System
January 17, 2012 – Just days after the visit of the Special Rapporteur on torture, Juan E. Mendez, a riot showed the reaction of the official authorities to the report of the Special Rapporteur. One inmate was killed and 30 brutally beaten. Relatives of the inmates were shouting outside the prison and the police tried to drive them up but it was impossible. Then, they took two buses told some of the relatives inside and then an explosion and cries for help were coming from inside. Police did not provide reliable information after this incident.
