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

birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com


###

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/

 

 

Dear friends!

Dear guests of our site!
Public Association “Human Rights Movement:
“Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan” is asking you to provide sponsorship and support in the form of a material donation!

donate

Feedback from our focus groups

SHAKHBOZ LATIPOV

SHAKHBOZ LATIPOV

Experience should be attached to a law degree

Shakhboz Latipov, 24 y.o., young lawyer: “When I came to BDK for an internship, I had no experience in legal and human rights activities. Together with experienced senior colleagues, I began to attend trials, studied documents. Gradually my supervisor Khusanbai Saliev began to trust me the preparation of documents, carefully checked them and gave practical advice. Experience comes with time and cases you work on. Every day dozens of people who need help come to us, many of them are from socially vulnerable groups: the poor, large families, elderly citizens. A lawyer in a human rights organization sometimes acts as a psychologist, it is important for him to be able to maintain professionalism and show empathy. At the end of 2019, I successfully passed the exam to get the right to start working as attorney and now I work on cases as an attorney. I turn to my colleagues for help on complex issues, they always give me their advice. This is one of the strengths of the organization: there is support and understanding here.”

FERUZA AMADALIEVA

FERUZA AMADALIEVA

Organization unites regions

Feruza Amadalieva, social worker, leader, teacher: “TOT from BDK is a great opportunity to get acquainted with participants from different regions, we continue to communicate on social media and when we meet at events, as close friends, we have such warm relations! At the events, I improved my knowledge, systematized it, clarified how to apply it in practice. I really like the training modules and the way the system of training and practice is built: role-playing games, theory, discussions. Each person expresses himself/herself. I have become a leader for other vulnerable women, I try to help them and engage them in such events.” Feruza Amadalieva is a regular participant of many BDK events, she invites the BDK lawyers to provide legal advice to vulnerable women.

NURIZA TALANTBEK KYZY

NURIZA TALANTBEK KYZY

I became confident

In summer of 2019, Nuriza Talantbek kyzy took an active part in conducting regional screenings of documentaries, helped with organizational issues during the campaign dedicated to the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, participated in trips, and did the TOT on women's leadership. She used to be a migrant, worked for an NGO in Osh, and now works in Bishkek in the service industry. She calls her participation in the TOT “an invaluable experience”: “I first attended such an event, and received exactly the information that I needed, for which I am sincerely grateful to the facilitators. I experienced very difficult issues in my life, and thanks to that knowledge, I was able to overcome them, I persevered! After the TOT, I became more confident, began to better understand the essence of human rights, and learned to defend my interests.”

SHUKURULLO KOCHKAROV

SHUKURULLO KOCHKAROV

The defendant has passed away. The work on his rehabilitation continues.

The case of Shukurullo Kochkarov shows that work on complex cases continues for many years. After the torture he was subjected to in 2010, he became disabled. We managed to get acquittal on one of the charges; the work is ongoing on achieving his rehabilitation and recognition as a victim of torture in order for compensation to be paid. Trials continue without Shukurullo Kochkarov - he died on 2 August 2019. His interests are represented by his father, Saidaziz Kochkarov, who also has a visual disability. “For many years, we have been supported by the employees of BDK, they have been handling the case of my son, they brought him to court because he couldn’t walk on his own, they constantly help our family: my wife and I underwent rehabilitation, they have helped my son by providing him with medicines, they provide all kinds of help”.

DILYOR JUMABAEV

DILYOR JUMABAEV

Comprehensive support for victims of torture

Resident of the Kara-Suu district, Dilyor Jumabaev, has extensive experience in dealing with law enforcement agencies. In 2010, he was accused of possessing firearms, and thanks to the work of lawyers, he was acquitted. Two years later, his house was first searched in order to find materials of an extremist nature, but nothing was found. In 2014, he was accused of possessing extremist materials. In court, the prosecutor requested 15 years in prison; the court sentenced him to 6 years. A few years later he was released on parole. “I am grateful to the lawyers of BDK for their expert legal assistance. I participated in a rehabilitation program for victims of torture. When I encounter violations, I recommend contacting this organization.”

Partners

All rights reserved © 2020

The site is developed: http://webformat.kg