25 July 2022 marks the second anniversary of the death of human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov, who died in colony No. 47 and did not see a fair hearing of his case by an independent and impartial court, he did tot live to see freedom. On 17 May 2022 the human rights defender would have turned 71. 

The Human Rights Movement "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" together with the solidarity and partnership network have been fighting for the release and protection of the rights of the human rights defender, prisoner of conscience Azimzhan Askarov since June 2010. For 12 years, human rights defenders and lawyers have participated in more than 49 trials in his case^[1]. We had repeatedly pointed out the lack of access to timely and high-quality medical care, poor conditions of detention, which eventually led to the deterioration of the human rights defender's health condition and death. On 25 July 2020 Azimzhan Askarov died in colony No. 47 without any access to timely and high-quality medical care, he did not live long enough to see justice and freedom^[2].

The director of the HRM "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" T.A. Ismailova calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan, within the framework of international obligations, to fulfill the Views of the UN Human Rights Committee on A. Askarov's complaint, to rehabilitate the name of the human rights defender and prisoner of conscience and pay compensation to his family.^[3] With the restoration of justice in the case of the human rights defender, the new government of Kyrgyzstan begins the fight against impunity for the tragic events of 2010, bringing to justice the real culprits of the tragedy, the officials and politicians who allowed it and participated in the conflict.

A. Askarov's wife, Khadicha believes that she will be able to achieve justice. Khadicha reports that her family constantly follows the speeches of President Sadyrov Japarov regarding the June events and hopes that the commission established to investigate the Osh events will provide a fair assessment of the events and facilitate the release of unjustly convicted prisoners.

Today, the Human Rights Movement "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" and attorneys Aidar Sydykov and B. Avtandil continue to protect the rights and interests of Khadicha Askarova after the death of human rights defender A. Askarov on 25 July, 2020 in Penal Colony No. 47. Currently, the investigation of the human rights defender's death is being conducted by the SCNS. The investigator of this agency, despite the decision of the Pervomaisky District Court to recognize the inaction of the SCNS in the investigation of Askarov's death as unjustified, continues to ignore the petitions of the attorneys. Therefore, the attorneys have appealed to the judicial authorities again.

The HRM "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan", with the support of the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture, has been defending the case of A. Askarov, as well as other victims of torture and ill-treatment for the past few years. As part of Kyrgyzstan's implementation of recommendations of the UPR (Universal Periodic Review), units on protection of the rights of victims of torture and restoration of the rights of human rights defender Askarov are also included.

Today, extrajudicial executions in closed institutions have not stopped, as noted by the director of the NCPT of the KR B. Rysbekov, 151 people have died in custody during the last three years only[1], in June 2022 Marat Kazakbaev and Bakyt Asanaliev died in the SCNS pre-trial detention center. Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan, as a member of FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights), which unites 200 organizations around the world, considers it very important to find justice in the case of human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov and other victims to prevent torture, extrajudicial executions and injustice against torture victims in the future.

We will continue to work for Kyrgyzstan to comply with the Views of the UN Human Rights Committee on Askarov's case, as well as to implement and comply with the principles of N. Mandela in order to treat detainees humanely. The restoration of the human rights defender's rights and payment of a compensation will create a basis for preventing conflicts, risks and threats in closed institutions in the future, as well as unfair decisions, and give hope to thousands of other victims who have been unjustly convicted and imprisoned.

We stand together for Human Rights and Freedoms in the KR!

 Should you have any questions, please, contact Aida Baijumanova at the HRM "Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan" at: birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com, aidabaikg@gmail.com, 0550184095