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Kyrgyzstan – UPDATE: Appeal of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov adjourned until 3 November posted on: 2010/10/27

On 25 October human rights defender Azimjan Askarov appeared before Tashkumyr city court, southern Kyrgyzstan to appeal a previously imposed sentence of life imprisonment. The hearing began at 10.30 a.m. and continued until 5 p.m. The next hearing is scheduled for 3 November.

Kyrgyzstan - Attack on Mr Umaraly Mamazhanov, while Kyrgyz officials deny attacks on human rights defenders in southern Kyrgyzstanposted on: 2010/10/24

On 22 October 2010, at approximately 11pm, the Head of the House Committee of Osh district, Mr Tolon Amataliev, reportedly attacked human rights defender Mr Umaraly Mamazhanov (ethnic Uzbek) at a public reception of the Advocacy Centre for Human Rights.

Kyrgyzstan: Appeal of human rights defender Azimjan Askarov is test case for credibility of new government. posted on: 2010/10/22

On Monday 25 October 2010 in Tashkumyr city court, southern Kyrgyzstan, ethnic Uzbek human rights defender Azimjan Askarov will start his appeal against the life sentence received after a trial marked by threats, intimidation and the absence of due process.

Kyrgyzstan: Dramatic deterioration of the situation for human rights lawyers in southern Kyrgyzstanposted on: 2010/10/18

Human rights defenders in southern Kyrgyzstan have become victims of regular beatings, attacks, threats, and harassment. Human rights organisations and lawyers representing those arrested during the violence in June 2010 have been consistently harassed by the authorities and violently attacked by private individuals.

Kyrgyzstan: Arrest and detention of human rights defender Azimjan Askarovposted on: 2010/10/18

Azimjan Askarov is a human rights defender who has spent 25 years documenting human rights abuses in Kyrgyzstan. He is serving a life sentence after an unfair trial during which he was beaten in detention and denied access to his lawyer.

Further Information

In 2010 Azimjan was convicted – solely on the basis of a confession beaten out of him – of involvement in the killing of a policeman during recent interethnic violence. No credible evidence was presented against him. The national Ombudsman, who carried out a parallel investigation, said that the charges against him were clearly politically motivated. Azimjan had been working on documenting the human rights violations committed in this region previous to his detention. He had been collecting data about those who had been killed and injured during the recent ethnic conflict. According to Ms Valentina Gritsenko, chairwoman of the NGO Spravedlivost (Justice) based in Jalalabad, Azimjan Askarov had obtained video footage of atrocities which had taken place, and the police were aware of that.

Kyrgyzstan: Interrogation and intimidation of human rights defenders Ms Tolekan Ismailova and Ms Aziza Abdirasulovaposted on: 2010/06/29

Human rights defenders Ms Tolekan Ismailova and Ms Aziza Abdirasulova have been subjected to interrogation and intimidation in Osh, Kyrgyzstan, following their activities monitoring the human rights situation in southern Kyrgyzstan in the wake of inter-ethnic fighting.

Kyrgyzstan: Arrest of human rights defender, Ms Tolekan Ismailovaposted on: 2009/03/19

Front Line is concerned by reports of the arrest of Ms Tolekan Ismailova following her participation in a peaceful demonstration in Bishkek, on 18 March 2009. Tolekan Ismailova is the Chairperson of the Human Rights Centre “Citizens Against Corruption”. Although she was released later the same day, after the charges against her were dismissed, Front Line remains concerned at this evidence of an ongoing pattern of harassment.

Kyrgyzstan: Arrest and forced psychiatric treatment of human rights defender, Mr Maxim Kuleshovposted on: 2009/03/11

Front Line is concerned following reports of the arrest and forced psychiatric treatment of human rights defender, Mr Maxim Kuleshov, on 4 March 2009. Maxim Kuleshov is Head of the public association World – Light of Culture based in Tokmok, and Coordinator of the Tokmok Human Rights Resource Centre.

Kyrgyzstan: Court proceedings against HRDS and young leaders in Bishkek City Court.posted on: 2008/01/09

From 22 December to 27th December court proceedings were taken against HRDS and young leaders in Bishkek City Court. Their release has since been secured due to internal and international urgent action. The partnership network of CAC and CAC staff wish to express many thanks for their support in such difficult times to: Front Line, WLP, Human Rights Watch, and Community of Saint Egidio in Rome, German Embassy in Bishkek, OSCE Centre in Bishkek and others.

Kyrgyzstan: Mass arrests of Tolekan Ismailova and other human rights defenders at peaceful protests.posted on: 2007/12/21

Front Line is deeply concerned following the arrest, on 18 December 2007, of human rights defender Tolekan Ismailova, Director of the human rights centre 'Citizens against Corruption', and 18 other human rights activists, including Mirsuljan Namazaliev and Jibek Ismailova of the Center for Human Rights “Kylym Shamy”,during a protest in the Erkindik, the Old Square of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. Front Line is also worried for the safety of human rights defenders Toktaim Umetalieva, head of the Association of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and non-commercial organisations (NCOs), Nazgul Turdubekova, the Youth Human Rights Group, and Maxim Kuleshov, the leader of the NGO, 'World, Light, Culture' who, along with Tolekan Ismailova, were detained and beaten at another peaceful protest on 20 December, 2007.