Today, 24 November, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov arrived on an official visit to the Republic of Austria. Within the framework of the official visit, the President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with the Federal President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen in narrow and extended formats, with the Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer, as well as with the Chairman of the National Council Walter Rosenkranz. Earlier this year, the EU deepened its ties with Kyrgyzstan by signing an Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (EPCA), reflecting new geopolitical realities and its growing economic interests in Central Asia. We call on the authorities of European countries, in particular Austria in view of the upcoming meetings, to prioritise in the negotiations the issues of Kyrgyzstan’s compliance with its obligations under international human rights treaties.
In recent years, Kyrgyzstan has witnessed a troubling decline in governance, democratic freedoms, and human rights records. The EU has been a committed partner to Kyrgyzstan since 1999, fostering strong ties through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA). As a unique advocate for fundamental values, the EU is well-positioned to promote human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and civil society engagement. For the 2021-2027 period, the EU has pledged to support the development of robust legal and accountability frameworks aligned with the principles of a free and fair democracy. However, the EU’s commitment to Kyrgyzstan, through the newly signed Enhanced Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (EPCA), is at odds with the country’s growing authoritarianism, erosion of civil liberties, and widespread corruption. There is a pressing need for the EU to address these developments by supporting civil society, particularly anti-corruption journalists and activists while holding complicit government officials accountable through targeted sanctions.
Corruption in Kyrgyzstan: Persistent and Institutionalized
Kyrgyzstan’s 2023 score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) was a dismal 26 out of 100, reflecting a systemic failure to address corruption. Over the past five years, Kyrgyzstan has regressed from a democracy with a dynamic civil society to a consolidated authoritarian regime. President Sadyr Japarov’s strategy to retain power hinges on leveraging law enforcement, undermining judicial independence, and weakening mechanisms designed to uphold anti-corruption laws. By manipulating the judiciary and law enforcement institutions, his administration ensures impunity for corruption within privileged circles while suppressing opposition, thereby consolidating its grip on power. Transparency International states that Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS) headed by Kamchybek Tashiev “has become an opaque tool for repressing political opponents, independent media and critical bloggers.”
Public oversight and accountability have been significantly undermined by recent amendments to public procurement laws. These changes permit state and municipal enterprises to bypass competitive tender processes, thereby reducing transparency. Furthermore, they allow these entities to withhold information about their purchases, making it increasingly difficult for civil society and independent watchdogs to monitor and control public spending effectively.
Human Rights in Decline: A Shrinking Civic Space
Kyrgyzstan’s human rights landscape has deteriorated significantly, with arbitrary arrests and detentions, including of journalists and activists becoming everyday routine.
Legislation restricting civil society organizations (CSOs) stifles dissent, with CSOs labeled as “foreign agents” under a Russian-inspired draft law.
In June last year, Kyrgyzstan’s security services detained around 30 members of the “Eldik Kenesh” political party, accusing them of planning a coup. The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) claimed that the group had been organizing for over a year, allegedly recruiting more than 100 people, possibly with foreign backing, to incite public unrest and use the chaos as a means to seize power.
Ahead of the 2024 municipal elections, police detained key members of Kyrgyzstan’s Social Democrats party, including leader Temirlan Sultanbekov and campaign chief Irina Karamushkina, and conducted a search of the party’s office. Authorities accused the party of vote-buying, a persistent problem in Kyrgyzstan’s electoral processes. However, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty notes that such accusations could be levied against any political party, making them a convenient tool for the ruling party to target opponents. Social Democrats party says the money in question was a salary for the campaign staff and not for vote buying. In his letter published on the politician’s Facebook page, Sultanbekov wrote that the entire case is based on a conversation between I. Karamushkina and Daniyar Cholponbaev, a candidate to Bishkek City Kenesh, where I. Karamushkina says that she gave Nazar Niyazov, a campaign staff member 15 thousand soms. According to the Central Elections Committee (CEC) website Nazar Niyazov officially received 15 thousand soms through the bank and the election fund.
Targeted persecution on freedom of expression and independent media
Freedom of expression and media freedom are severely curtailed. Journalists face threats, censorship, and violence, with independent outlets like Kaktus.media, Azattyk, Temirov Live and Kloop targeted despite official promises of press freedom. In 2021 President Sadyr Japarov signed a law to restrict dissemination of so-called “false information” – “a law that violates the constitution as well as international treaties, and limits press freedom” as stated in the RSF report. More and more so journalists and specifically investigative journalists feel unsafe in the country.
In their 2023 World Press Freedom Index Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Kyrgyzstan 122nd out of 180 countries with its position dropping remarkable 50 positions. The report states that “the government still controls all traditional media and is trying to extend its influence to privately owned outlets.” Kyrgyz government has attempted over the years to silence independent media, using censorship and promoting legislation restricting press freedom. OCCRP states that “Space for free expression in Kyrgyzstan has been shrinking rapidly since President Sadyr Japarov came to power in 2020. The country has adopted a series of laws making it almost impossible to criticize the government, including one that criminalizes “discrediting” the authorities.”
The government’s crackdown on dissent reached alarming levels in 2022 when 27 journalists, activists, and opposition figures were detained for criticizing a Kyrgyz-Uzbek border agreement. Many remain in detention, denied access to legal materials and due process. Watchdog organizations like Amnesty International have repeatedly called for the withdrawal of lawsuits against independent media and the cessation of harassment against journalists.
Authorities have launched what appears to be a concerted campaign against investigative journalists critical of their actions. One of the most alarming cases is that of Bolot Temirov, a prominent government critic and founder of the investigative platform Temirov Live. Temirov was stripped of his Kyrgyz citizenship and deported to Russia—a move widely condemned as politically motivated.
The persecution of Temirov Live did not end there. In October 2024, Makhabat Tazhikbek Kyzy, the platform’s director, and her colleague Azamat Ishenbekov, who remain in Kyrgyzstan, were sentenced to prison for their investigative reporting on corruption. Two other journalists from the platform were handed probation sentences, underscoring the risks faced by those who dare to expose government wrongdoing.
Kloop Media, a prominent investigative journalism outlet in Kyrgyzstan, has exposed high-level corruption, including cases involving inflated procurement for hydropower projects and multi-million-dollar schemes linked to former customs official Raimbek Matraimov. Joint investigations with Bellingcat and the OCCRP also revealed ties between top officials, including President Sadyr Japarov and SCNS head Kamchybek Tashiev, to corruption networks and organized crime figures such as Kamchibek Kolbayev.
Kloop’s hard-hitting journalism has drawn significant domestic and international attention but has also made it a target for government repression. In August 2023, Bishkek’s Prosecutor’s Office sought to shut down Kloop, claiming it operated beyond the scope of its charter. This culminated in a July 2024 Supreme Court ruling to close the outlet, marking yet another example of the government’s crackdown on independent media that expose corruption. Kloop’s persecution underscores the growing risks faced by Kyrgyzstan’s press and the erosion of media freedom in the country.
Freedom for Eurasia calls on the EU/Austria to:
Support Civil Society and Investigative Journalism: Implement targeted programs to protect and empower anti corruption activists and journalists both inside the country and in exile facing persecution.
Establish dedicated funding streams to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs), independent media outlets, and investigative journalists committed to uncovering corruption and human rights abuses inside the country and in exile. This support should encompass technical and financial assistance for capacity-building initiatives and the creation of an emergency fund to provide legal aid, security measures, and relocation support for individuals facing threats due to their anti-corruption work.
Impose Targeted Sanctions: Enact personalized sanctions against Kyrgyz officials complicit in corruption and human rights abuses, ensuring accountability at the highest power levels by freezing assets and restricting travel. Increase transparency by publishing the names of individuals sanctioned, sending a clear message that impunity will not be tolerated.
The EU’s response to Kyrgyzstan’s escalating authoritarianism will not only shape the country’s future but also set a precedent for its broader engagement in Central Asia. It is time for decisive, values-driven action to ensure that the EU’s partnership with Kyrgyzstan remains a force for justice, transparency, and human rights.
