Almost 30 international human rights watchdogs have urged Kyrgyz authorities to allow access to the websites of RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service, known locally as Radio Azattyk, which have been blocked since October.
The open letter, issued on January 11, also demanded that Bishkek reinstate the transmission of Radio Azattyk's radio broadcasts and unfreeze its bank accounts in the country. It was signed by rights groups from across Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the United States.
"Kyrgyz authorities should treat the country’s media with pride and as a strength, and not seek to reverse democratic developments that have been taking place for decades, and for which ordinary Kyrgyz have often paid a high price," the letter said.
The Kyrgyz government blocked Radio Azattyk’s websites in Kyrgyz and Russian on October 26 after the media outlet refused to take down a video about clashes along a disputed segment of the Kyrgyz-Tajik border. Officials claimed the video, produced by Current Time, a Russian-language network run by RFE/RL in cooperation with Voice of America, "predominantly" took the position of the Tajik side.
The decision was based on the Law on Protection from False Information, legislation that drew widespread criticism when it was adopted in August 2021.
Radio Azattyk's bank account in Bishkek was frozen at the time, and in November, Kyrgyz authorities suspended accreditations for 11 RFE/RL correspondents at the country's parliament.
RFE/RL President and Chief Executive Officer Jamie Fly rejected the government’s move, saying the broadcaster takes its commitment to balanced reporting "seriously" and that after a review of the content in question, "no violation of our standards" was found. RFE/RL is appealing the decision.
The Kyrgyz government's decision has previously been criticized by Kyrgyz politicians, celebrities, intellectuals, journalists, lawmakers, and rights activists, who have called for the government to repeal it.
