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TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM KG
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT'S HUMAN RIGHTS ROUNDTABLE:  EMBASSY 
 
 
BISHKEK'S POINTS 
 
REF: STATE 125456 
 
¶1. (U) SUMMARY:  The Embassy has actively supported 
Kyrgyzstan's burgeoning democracy, and has taken great 
strides to promote human rights and civil liberties through 
direct, public engagement with government officials and civil 
society, NGOs, and religious groups.  U.S.-funded projects 
have also benefited these efforts, with local and 
international partners working to advance human rights 
activities throughout the country.  While the level of 
government cooperation has fluctuated, Kyrgyzstan continues 
to recognize the importance of adhering to democratic 
principles. END SUMMARY. 
 
¶2. (U) Following a series of public uprisings, starting with 
the March 2005 "revolution" that brought President Bakiyev to 
power, the Kyrgyz Government's (GOKG) respect for democracy 
and human rights improved in several areas.  These include 
freedom of assembly, fewer incidents of military hazing, 
improved prison conditions, some accountability for abuses by 
law enforcement officials, and modest anticorruption efforts. 
 Relations with the opposition and civil society activists 
have also improved slightly, with a decrease in reprisals for 
anti-government actions. 
 
¶3. (U) Despite these improvements, however, serious problems 
remain.  Members of the security forces at times tortured or 
abused persons, often with impunity.  Arbitrary or unlawful 
killings, arbitrary arrest and detention, and the 
disappearance of and failure to protect refugee and asylum 
seekers continue to be problematic.  Prison conditions remain 
very poor, contributing to prison riots and attempted 
suicides.  Restrictions on citizens' rights to change their 
government persist, but are less severe than in previous 
years.  A lack of judicial independence amid pervasive 
corruption also remains a serious problem, limiting citizens' 
rights to due process.  Additionally, trafficking in persons, 
violence against women and children, child labor, and 
discrimination against ethnic minorities are also concerns. 
 
¶4. (U) The U.S strategy to promote democracy and human rights 
focuses on strengthening democratic institutions, including 
constitutional reform, increasing observance of human rights, 
combating corruption, supporting civil society, and promoting 
independent media.  The United States maintains close contact 
with independent journalists, human rights activists, 
religious clerics, and politicians from across the political 
spectrum, while encouraging dialogue between the government 
and civil society.  The Ambassador and visiting senior U.S. 
officials, including Assistant Secretary Richard Boucher, met 
frequently with members of the government, civil society and 
human rights groups to encourage reform.  The Embassy has 
also hosted a series of roundtables with journalists, 
students, and civil society activists in several regions of 
the country to discuss the need for further reform.  In 
addition, the Ambassador implemented an active public 
diplomacy program to help build support for reform. 
 
¶5. (U) Promoting media freedom and freedom of speech remains 
a top priority.  In bilateral and multilateral meetings, U.S. 
officials regularly encourage the government to bring its 
media laws in line with international standards, in 
particular by rescinding criminal penalties for libel and 
transforming state-owned television into an independent 
entity.  President Bakiyev signed legislation allowing for 
the creation of an independent board for state television. 
In April, state security services confiscated the print runs 
of two opposition newspapers during a raid on an independent 
printing press.  The Kyrgyz government acted to remedy the 
situation:  the newspapers were allowed to resume operations, 
the prime minister publicly apologized for the raid, and the 
prime minister attended a press freedom event that the 
embassy organized at the printing press.  The United States 
continues to provide training to journalists from electronic 
and print outlets in an effort to improve professional 
standards and clarify the legal framework for media 
operation.  Kyrgyz media professionals have also been sent to 
the U.S. to learn about the role of the media in a democratic 
society.  The United States continues its support of the 
Media Support Center, which is the only independent printing 
press in the country and Central Asia.  The first independent 
Central Asian news syndicate was launched with U.S. funds. 
U.S.-funded projects increased the professionalism of women 
journalists and coverage of women's issues and human rights. 
 
¶6. (U) The Ambassador and other U.S. officials regularly 
encourage the government to curb and publicly denounce NGO 
harassment.  When an NGO leader was assaulted in 2006 by 
 
unknown assailants and sustained head injuries, the 
Ambassador visited him in hospital and pressed the government 
to conduct an independent investigation, hold the 
perpetrators accountable, and ensure the leader's safety. 
The United States continues its strong support for a wide 
variety of programs designed to strengthen civil society and 
advocacy through a network of nine support centers that 
provide training, grants, legal assistance and other services 
to NGOs throughout the country.  These centers are joined 
into the countrywide Association of Civil Society Support 
Centers that advocates at the national level on civil society 
issues. 
 
¶7. (U) The United States and the European Union jointly and 
successfully pressed the government to exercise restraint and 
respect freedom of assembly during the numerous rallies and 
protests throughout the year which, by and large, took place 
peacefully.  A U.S. grant enabled a local foundation to 
monitor respect for freedom of assembly with the goal of 
supporting citizen activism and increasing awareness of 
democracy and human rights. 
 
¶8. (U) The United States continues to support legal and 
judicial reform, transparency, and provides strong diplomatic 
support to anticorruption efforts.  The Millennium Challenge 
Corporation Board has approved a Threshold Country Program 
for Kyrgyzstan targeting reforms in the judiciary, the 
procuracy, and law enforcement.  If implemented successfully, 
the program, which includes elements of oversight by civil 
society, will bring about a marked improvement in the respect 
for human rights.  The U.S. also supports the human rights 
defenders' network which monitors prisons and pretrial 
detention facilities in an effort to prevent detainee abuse. 
The network also reports on human rights abuses around the 
country and works with authorities at the local and national 
levels to prevent further abuses.  The United States provided 
a series of 28 small grants to local NGOs to protect human 
rights, provide civic education, foster the rule of law and 
promote the use of conflict prevention and resolution 
techniques. 
 
¶9. (U) In 2006 the United States urged the GOKG to turn over 
to UNHCR for third-country resettlement four Uzbek refugees 
and one Uzbek asylum seeker who remained in detention after 
having fled the 2005 violence in Andijon.  Following 
continuous advocacy efforts by U.S. authorities in both 
Bishkek and Washington, the Secretary sent a letter to 
President Bakiyev reiterating the U.S. position.  Despite 
U.S. recommendations, however, the GOKG forcibly returned 
these individuals to Uzbekistan.  The United States publicly 
denounced this in Bishkek, Washington, and at the 
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.  U.S. 
officials also called on the GOKG to conduct an impartial 
investigation into the disappearance of other Uzbek asylum 
and refugee seekers. 
 
¶10. (U) To promote religious freedom, the United States 
maintains regular contact with representatives of various 
religious communities and has funded several Muslim religious 
leaders to visit the U.S. through IVLP.  In 2006 the 
Ambassador hosted Iftar dinners for Muslim leaders in Bishkek 
and Osh, sponsored a roundtable on religious freedom and 
visited the Islamic University and mosques.  The Deputy Chief 
of Mission addressed a crowd of over 50,000 worshipers in 
Bishkek's main square on the Feast of Eid, which marks the 
end of Ramadan.  Post intends to hold similar events during 
this year's Ramadan celebration as well. 
 
¶11. (U) The United States continues to play a leading role in 
combating human trafficking.  On numerous occasions U.S. 
officials lobbied the GOKG to employ more effective means to 
combat trafficking.  The USG supported a three-year project 
to combat trafficking in the country, with a particular focus 
on labor trafficking.  The United States also sponsored 
anti-trafficking campaigns as well as seminars and training 
sessions aimed at law enforcement officials involved in 
anti-trafficking efforts. 
 
¶12. (U) The GOKG's self-initiated efforts to promote 
democracy and human rights remain somewhat limited, due 
mainly to lack of financial resources.  However, the 
president has made recent steps to seek a cooperative 
dialogue with NGOs and civil society, as the GOKG implements 
its three-year, socio-economic focused Country Development 
Strategy.  Reforming the constitution remains a top priority 
for the government, as Kyrgyzstan strives to achieve a true 
balance of powers.  Reducing penalties for misdemeanor 
crimes, abolishing capital punishment, and addressing 
 
pre-trial detention issues are also signs of improved 
attention to human rights.  Enabling anti-government 
demonstrations to occur unhindered is yet another example of 
Kyrgyzstan's respect for freedom of assembly and civic 
action.  While instances of harassment against opposition 
groups continue, the Kyrgyz remain committed to promoting and 
supporting human rights efforts. 
YOVANOVITCH