Peace and the rule of law as the highest values. The eleventh anniversary of the tragic events.
Июн 11.2021
10 June has become the day of remembrance for those who were killed, missing and injured in the tragic events of 2010. The consequences of this great tragedy have been felt for many years. Houses were restored, apartments in new multi-storey buildings were allocated to people, the physical wounds were healed, but the moments of fear of death remained in people's memory.
The bigger the tragedy, the greater the value of peace. People have realized that in order to preserve peace, everyone should make an effort to strengthen it.
Respect for the rights of citizens is an important factor in preserving peace. The events were followed by a series of trials highly criticized by local and international human rights organizations due to lack of impartiality, independence and objectivity.
At that time, the preliminary investigation was conducted with numerous violations of national legislation and international human rights standards. Torture was accompanied by torment, threats and humiliation of human dignity. There have been no timely and effective investigations into torture. The confessions obtained under torture formed the basis for the prosecution.
Lack of security during the trials, attacks on the defendants, their relatives and lawyers, the disregard of the defense evidence led to unfair decisions. The court ignored the arguments of the lawyers, did not respond to the allegations of torture, did not take into account the testimony of witnesses for the defense.
Trampled human values and human rights distorted by political intrigues have contributed to the reduction of the live length of many people. People die in torture chambers, waiting for justice. Azimzhan Askarov, a human rights activist and prisoner of conscience who died in prison, is an example of this. The prisoners were not provided with timely and high-quality medical care. The people sentenced to long terms have run out of faith in justice, they have no strength left to continue the struggle for their rights. People whose spirit is broken, who are humiliated and out of health, do not believe that there will ever be a fair trial where they will be heard and understood, when the state will recognize them as victims of torture and ill-treatment, and those involved in torture will be brought to justice and punished, as required by the law, which, as we know, is the same for everyone.
Such systemic impunity and unresolved social problems lead to a decrease in public trust in the authorities. Time has demonstrated that most of the implemented reforms in the field of the rule of law did not affect convicted citizens. When the trial concerns the top officials of the state, slogans about violations of rights are heard everywhere. However, why do the trials of ordinary citizens not attract such attention?
Taking into account the ongoing large-scale reform of the penal enforcement legislation, it is important that all citizens of Kyrgyzstan have equal access to protection and independent justice.
"The judiciary and law enforcement agencies violate the basic values of Kyrgyz society – justice and freedom," President Sadyr Japarov said in his address to the people of Kyrgyzstan on 5 May 2021. "The investigation should be impartial, and the court should be fair!"
"The reform of the law enforcement system should be aimed primarily at restoring the rule of law and public confidence in state institutions," he said in same message.
Taking into account the past, a real reform should meet the needs and requirements of the citizens. Laws should be clear, accessible and comply with the high principles of human rights and freedoms, which is a key principle in such a multi-national country as Kyrgyzstan.
The human rights community welcomes the decision of the head of state to review the prohibition of entry into the country for human rights defenders Mihra Rittmann and Chris Rickleton, according to The Diplomat.
The human rights community reminds us about the need to respect the rule of law and peace, - these are the highest values, which are the same for all.
... On this sad day, as we look back at the past, we are reminded of the need to learn our lessons to strengthen peace and stability. The human rights community hopes that the lessons learned will have a positive impact on the observance of the citizens' rights. Through the observance of rights we move to stability and prosperity. Yes, we are one country, and our strength lies in unity.
PA HRM "Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan"
10 June 2021
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Link to the message of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov dated 5 May 2021:
http://www.president.kg/ru/sobytiya/19287_poslanie_prezidenta_sadira_ghaparova__narodu_kirgizstana
Link to the report on the revision of the entry restrictions for two human rights defenders:
https://thediplomat.com/2021/06/kyrgyzstan-reviewing-entry-bans-on-rittmann-and-rickleton/