Jailing of anti-#China protesters in #Kazakhstan: "Peaceful protest, even when perceived as politically sensitive or provocative, should not be treated as a criminal offence” - @iphr.bsky.social iphronline.org/articles/kaz...
#Kazakhstan: The conviction of 19 people over a peaceful anti-China protest shows how criminal law is used to suppress legitimate civic engagement. Authorities should urgently review these convictions and ensure justice in the case! 👉See joint IPHR-KIBHR statement:
iphronline.org/articles/kaz...
Our new briefing highlights alarming trends curtailing civic freedoms across Central Asia. The EU & international partners must use their widening engagement with the Central Asian governments to press for meaningful change:
iphronline.org/articles/cur...
#CentralAsia #CivicSpace #Sustainability
Our briefing for the upcoming EU-Kazakhstan Human Rights Dialogue covers current alarming trends that warrant EU attention
Kazakh activists face 10 year sentence, prosecuted in Kazakhstan, at Chinese government’s request, for their peaceful protest against crimes against humanity in Xinjiang. Kazakh government should drop charges. Beijing should halt targeting critics abroad.
www.hrw.org/news/2026/01...
#Kazakhstan: Activists protesting China’s repression of ethnic Kazakhs face up to 10 years in prison in a case that reflects political pressure and violates international human rights standards. IPHR & KIBHR call for the case to be dismissed and the activists released: iphronline.org/articles/cri...
This is so shocking – journalists have found the grave of a blogger who disappeared in #Turkmenistan in November 2025 after criticising food prices and the economic situation. He is believed to have been detained & tortured to death for daring to express criticism: rus.azathabar.com/a/zhurnalist...
#Kyrgyzstan election "efficiently run but the restrictive campaign environment stifled candidate and voter engagement", fundamental freedoms "increasingly limited in practice", electoral reform "weakened the involvement of political parties" @osce_odihr
odihr.osce.org/odihr/660963
This month Turkmenistan celebrates 30 years of state neutrality – we call on the authorities to mark this symbolic occasion by pardoning & releasing those imprisoned for peaceful civic activism. Joint statement by IPHR, @nhcno.bsky.social, TIHR and Turkmen.News: iphronline.org/articles/tur...
As the EU and Uzbekistan deepen ties, trade must not be prioritised over human rights. IPHR, @ahrca.bsky.social, @nhcno.bsky.social and @hfhrpl.bsky.social urge the EU to use the new partnership agreement to push for genuine reforms that go beyond rhetoric.
👉 iphronline.org/articles/eu-...
A young woman’s murder has shaken Kyrgyzstan. But exploiting this pain to bring back the death penalty won’t bring justice. What’s needed is systemic reform to protect women & girls – not executions. Joint statement by 7 NGOs: iphronline.org/articles/kyr...
Another terrible femicide is causing a public outcry in Kyrgyzstan—and in typical populist fashion President Japarov vows to introduce the death penalty for crimes against minors. Emotions are running high and there’s a lot of justified anger, but this does little to address violence against women
🚨 Ahead of the 2025 #WarsawHDC, IPHR calls for a resolute international response to the alarming crackdown on civic freedoms in Central Asia and increased support for the region's civil society. 👉 See more about current trends & our calls at:
iphronline.org/articles/sti...
The Open Society Foundations unequivocally condemn terrorism and do not fund terrorism. Our activities are peaceful and lawful, and our grantees are expected to abide by human rights principles and comply with the law. These accusations are politically motivated attacks on civil society, meant to silence speech the administration disagrees with and undermine the First Amendment right to free speech. When power is abused to take away the rights of some people, it puts the rights of all people at risk. Our work in the United States is dedicated to strengthening democracy and upholding constitutional freedoms. We stand by the work we do to improve lives in the United States and across the world.
Our statement in response to reporting that the Trump Administration is directing investigations without evidence into our operations.
Kyrgyzstan: Human rights defender Rita Karasartova gets 5 years parole on spurious charges after a secret trial. We’re relieved she’s freed, but call for an end to all persecution against her!
vesti.kg/obshchestvo/...
#Kyrgyzstan: IPHR deplores the conviction of four former Kloop contributors, two of whom were imprisoned. This marks a new peak in the authorities’ retaliatory campaign against Kloop and sends a chilling message to all engaged in independent journalism in Kyrgyzstan: iphronline.org/articles/kyr...
Shocking – #Turkmenistan activist gets 8 more years in prison. Instead of freeing him after an unjust 4-year term expired in June, authorities filed new spurious charges to keep him locked up. We believe he's punished for his activism and call for his release! en.turkmen.news/news/turkmen...
The flag of Turkmenistan flying in the wind against a blue sky background.
I will be closely following the trial of civic activist Murat Dushemov, who has been in prison since 2021 & is now facing new criminal charges in apparent retaliation for his peaceful activism & the exercise of his freedom of expression in #Turkmenistan. I call for his immediate release.
#Kyrgyzstan: Parliament's decision to dissolve the National Center for the Prevention of Torture is deeply alarming. Together with 6 other HR NGOs we call on President Japarov to return the law for revision and prevent a serious setback in the fight against torture: iphronline.org/articles/kyr...
A journalist shot dead, a state cloaked in silence: when will #Kazakhstan respond to the murder of Aydos Sadykov?
rsf.org/s/95237
Our new update on civic space trends in Kyrgyzstan is up — little to celebrate, a lot to worry about 😟 #CivicusMonitor
📣We’re alarmed by the public attack on Kazakhstan’s NGO Coalition against Torture after its submission to the UN. Authorities must end the smear campaign & protect coalition members from retaliation! See joint statement by @iphr.bsky.social and @omctorg.bsky.social:
iphronline.org/articles/kaz...
🍾🎻🎊We’re delighted to announce the inauguration of Casa VITALI in Sambuca di Sicilia — a unique space for art, human rights & peace. Named in the honour of our colleague Vitali Safarov, it celebrates his legacy of tolerance 💗
iphronline.org/articles/iph...
Our briefing for OSCE civic space meeting in Vienna this week
Kyrgyzstan: We’re alarmed by the detention of human rights defender Rita Karasartova in a new criminal case on “calling for riots.” Authorities should release her and stop using spurious charges to suppress civic activism! kaktus.media/doc/521808_p...
Central Asian leaders must turn words into action after the first ever summit with the EU! Joint statement by 8 groups: iphronline.org/articles/cen... w/ @crdefenders.bsky.social @nhcno.bsky.social @freedomnoworg.bsky.social @fidh-official.bsky.social @omctorg.bsky.social @peopleinneed.bsky.social
Press Release: I urge #Turkmenistan to immediately investigate the alleged poisoning attempts against WHRD Gurbansoltan Achilova and her family, ensure their safety, and guarantee her unhindered travel abroad.
Full statement:
srdefenders.org/un-expert-ur...
Journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov - known for his hard-hitting reporting - detained in case involving dissemination of false information, a favoured charge to lock up journalist in #Kazakhstan which carries a lengthy prison sentence orda.kz/zhurnalista-...
orda.kz/zhurnalista-...
#Karakalpak Lawyer Imprisoned in #Uzbekistan Alleges Torture, Again
Ensure Humane Treatment in Prison, Investigate Allegations
It’s important that officials promptly investigate Dauletmurat Tazhimuratov’s allegations and ensure he comes to no harm while in prison.
www.hrw.org/news/2025/04...