Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan has a dynamic political landscape, but shortcomings in judicial independence and accountability for law enforcement erode Kyrgyzstan’s democratic progress. Long-term human rights concerns have been heightened since President Sadyr Japarov won a snap election in January 2021. Several of his initial actions, including proposed constitutional changes, mark setbacks for human rights. The death in custody in 2020 of human rights defender Azimjon Askarov leaves a stain on the country’s reputation, as Kyrgyzstan continues to deny justice to victims of the June 2010 interethnic violence. Kyrgyzstan has sought to tackle domestic violence, but impunity for this widespread problem persists. Several foreign human rights workers and a foreign media correspondent remain banned from Kyrgyzstan.