Kyrgyzstan: Government Must Ensure Security of Human Rights Activists

July 8, 2010 Update: Tolekan Ismailova's Statement to Supporters

July 1, 2010

Following news earlier this week that WLP Partner Tolekan Ismailova and human rights defender Aziza Abdirasulova were called for questioning by authorities in Osh, WLP learned today that Ismailova is receiving additional threats from criminal factions in the south of the country.

We join our colleagues at Human Rights Center, “Citizens Against Corruption” in voicing renewed concern for Ismailova’s safety.

We will post additional information as soon as it becomes available.

June 29, 2010
http://www.learningpartnership.org//en/advocacy/alerts/kyrgyzstan-security-0629

Local news sources are reporting that Tolekan Ismailova of WLP Kyrgyzstan, Human Rights Center "Citizens Against Corruption" has been called in for questioning by prosecutors in Osh. This is an alarming development given the June 15 arrest of human rights defender Azimzhan Askarov on false charges for conducting similar research and documentation on the human rights crisis in Jalal-Abad.

According to Citizens Against Corruption, Ismailova, along with activist Aziza Abdirasulova, were called into the Osh oblast Prosecutor's Office to give evidence about the mass riots and murders taking place in southern Kyrgyzstan. The questioning lasted several hours.

Human rights activists in the region have been working extensively to promote transparency and reconciliation efforts, and such efforts to intimidate and silence them are cause for grave concern. Ismailova has been targeted for harassment and arrest on several previous occasions for her human rights activism, most recently in 2009 for peaceful activities in solidarity with Iranian women activists and speaking out in favor of transparent elections.

WLP urges the Kyrgyz government and local authorities to demonstrate a commitment to the security of Tolekan Ismailova, Aziza Abdirasulova, and Azimzhan Askarov, and encourage full transparency and access for human rights and humanitarian efforts in the region.