Kyrgyzstan

Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption.

Journalists of Radio Liberty (Azattyk Ynalgysy) work in the bureau in Bishkek on April 28, 2023. - A court in Russia-allied Kyrgyzstan on April 27, 2023 ordered the closure of the local branch of US-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, which criticised the "outrageous" ruling. Award-winning Radio Azattyk is a prominent outlet in the Central Asian country that regularly reports on opposition groups and investigates alleged corruption. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Pressure Builds on Central Asia Media

Freedom of speech in Central Asia has deteriorated in recent years, with fresh restrictions on media and bloggers alike and a growing number of criminal cases initiated against journalists.

3 May 24

Smoke from a power station billows into the air over grazing cattle 20km from Bishkek in Novopokrovka.

Smoke from a power station billows into the air over grazing cattle 20km from Bishkek in Novopokrovka. © VYACHESLAV OSELEDKO/AFP via Getty Images

Women in Central Asia Lead on Climate Change

Campaigners tackle widespread scepticism and lack of understanding of crisis.

6 Mar 24

Under Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, criminal cases have been initiated in which journalists and bloggers have been imprisoned.

Under Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, criminal cases have been initiated in which journalists and bloggers have been imprisoned. © Sean Gallup/Getty Images

Kyrgyz Media Under Pressure

Criminal cases decried as attempts to intimidate and impose censorship.

23 Jan 24

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Kyrgyzstan's President counterpart Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek on October 12. It was Putin's first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him in March 2023.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Kyrgyzstan's President counterpart Sadyr Japarov in Bishkek on October 12. It was Putin's first trip abroad since the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant against him in March 2023. © Website of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic

Putin’s Bishkek Visit Signals Moscow’s Increasing Interest in Central Asia

The region’s role on the world stage is rising as the US and the EU also look at strengthening ties.The region’s role on the world stage is rising as the US and the EU also look at strengthening ties.

16 Oct 23

Kyrgyz authorities are moving to shut down the nonprofit Kloop Media Foundation, which includes the independent news outlet Kloop.kg. Founded in 2007, Kloop.kg is one of the country's leading journalism outlets, known for its investigations into corruption schemes.

Kyrgyz authorities are moving to shut down the nonprofit Kloop Media Foundation, which includes the independent news outlet Kloop.kg. Founded in 2007, Kloop.kg is one of the country's leading journalism outlets, known for its investigations into corruption schemes. © Monica Ellena

Kyrgyz Authorities Move to Shut Down Independent News Outlet

Investigative publication Kloop is the latest target of authorities’ campaign against independent media and critical voices.

18 Sep 23

Kyrgyz activist Altyn Kapalova won a three year-long battle to give her three children her name instead of their father's, breaking rooted patriarchal norms in the country. The Constitutional Court's ruling in her favour sparked a heated debate in society.

Kyrgyz activist Altyn Kapalova won a three year-long battle to give her three children her name instead of their father's, breaking rooted patriarchal norms in the country. The Constitutional Court's ruling in her favour sparked a heated debate in society. © Altyn Kapalova

Fight Over Matronymics Sparks Political Battle in Kyrgyzstan

President proposes revision of Constitutional Court decision after ruling allows mother to give her name to her children.

4 Sep 23

Well drilling in the outskirts of Bishkek. The water supply system in Kyrgyzstan's capital is considered obsolete and experts note that substantial renovation is needed to avoid water losses.

Well drilling in the outskirts of Bishkek. The water supply system in Kyrgyzstan's capital is considered obsolete and experts note that substantial renovation is needed to avoid water losses. © IWPR Central Asia

Bishkek Water Shortages Highlight Poor Management

Obsolete infrastructure and bad planning mean issues already aggravated by climate change have got more serious.

13 Jul 23

A girl reads a book in a reading room of Chuy regional library, in the town of Kant. Over 80 per cent of the 1,060 libraries in Kyrgyzstan are located in rural areas and in most villages they are the only cultural facility.

A girl reads a book in a reading room of Chuy regional library, in the town of Kant. Over 80 per cent of the 1,060 libraries in Kyrgyzstan are located in rural areas and in most villages they are the only cultural facility. © IWPR Central Asia

A World in 30 Metres: Kyrgyzstan’s Rural Libraries

Precious resources are often villages’ only cultural centres, but they remain underfunded and at risk.

22 May 23

The Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to introduce controls over the screening of audio-visual materials during festivals, conferences and trainings, in a move that rights’ groups consider a further restriction of basic freedoms.

The Kyrgyz authorities are seeking to introduce controls over the screening of audio-visual materials during festivals, conferences and trainings, in a move that rights’ groups consider a further restriction of basic freedoms. © Aneta Pawlik/Unsplash

Kyrgyzstan Mulls Mandatory Licenses for all Video Content

Warning that draft resolution that foresees the introduction of blanket oversight could violate country’s constitution.

10 May 23

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan.

(L to R) Natalia Tsoi, boxing referee from Kazakstan; Farida Abdueva, Muay Thai fighter from Kyrgyzstan; Shoira Zulkaynarova, boxer from Tajikistan; Aziza Yakubova, boxer from Uzbekistan. © Courtesy of N. Tsoi, F. Abdueva, S. Zulkaynarova and A. Yakubova.

Central Asia: Fighting, Inside and Outside the Ring

Women who dream of taking on combat disciplines have to first defy conservative traditions.

8 Mar 23

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