In recent developments, eight prominent human rights organisations have issued a strong plea to the Kyrgyzstan authorities, requesting urgent measures to ensure the safety of Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy, a human rights defender currently imprisoned under distressing conditions. Tazhibek Kyzy, the founder and director of a media outlet that exposes corruption, has reportedly received alarming death threats from a fellow inmate, raising significant concerns for her safety.
Tazhibek Kyzy leads a YouTube-based media platform, established by her husband in 2020, that investigates corruption involving both governmental and non-governmental actors in Kyrgyzstan. Her husband, Bolot Temirov, recently publicised her handwritten letter pleading for assistance, highlighting the dire situation she faces. Despite a statement from the National Centre for the Prevention of Torture suggesting that the threats might have been addressed, the rights groups adamantly emphasised the persistent concerns over her well-being due to her precarious position in prison.
The situation escalated earlier this year when law enforcement raided Tazhibek Kyzy’s office and subsequently arrested her, charging her with criminal offences connected to organised civil unrest – charges widely regarded as baseless and politically motivated. During her pre-trial detention, she and her cellmates allegedly suffered from physical abuse at the hands of law enforcement, which was downplayed by the authorities, who dismissed her claims of injury as mere fabrications.
In October, Tazhibek Kyzy was sentenced to six years in prison, a verdict met with widespread condemnation from human rights advocates who insist that the charges stem from her investigative journalism efforts. The recent collective statement from organisations, including Human Rights Watch and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, underscores the urgent need for protective measures for Tazhibek Kyzy, as they rally behind her cause, aiming to secure her safety in an increasingly hostile environment.
Eight human rights organisations have urged Kyrgyzstan to ensure the safety of imprisoned human rights defender Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy, who faces death threats from a fellow inmate. Tazhibek Kyzy leads a media outlet investigating corruption and was arrested after law enforcement raids early this year, facing politically motivated charges. Human rights groups highlight ongoing concerns for her safety, demanding protective measures amid alarming reports of mistreatment in custody.
The plight of Makhabat Tazhibek Kyzy sheds light on the perilous state of human rights in Kyrgyzstan, where the authorities seem to target those who expose corruption. Calls from various human rights organisations underscore the desperate need for intervention to ensure her protection while questioning the validity of the charges against her. As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for justice and the safety of those who dare to speak the truth.
Original Source: www.jurist.org
