IPHR: Kyrgyzstan Continues to Pressure Government Critics and Independent Media

Expectations that Kyrgyzstan might ease pressure on critics after the resignation of former State Committee for National Security chief Kamchybek Tashiev have not been fulfilled, according to a new report by the International Partnership for Human Rights.

The report, prepared for CIVICUS Monitor and covering mid-March to mid-August 2026, says restrictions remain on freedom of expression, civil society activity and peaceful assembly. IPHR found that the broader pattern of pursuing critical journalists, bloggers, activists and others continued.

The organization cited the case of Mahabat Tajibek kyzy, a journalist with Temirov Live. She remains under criminal prosecution after the Supreme Court agreed to review her case in March, following a finding by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention that her imprisonment had been unlawful. After her release, authorities barred her from leaving the country, and the defense’s attempt to end the case was rejected.

IPHR also mentioned blogger Kanykei Aranova, who was convicted over Facebook posts that prosecutors treated as incitement of hatred and calls for the violent seizure of power. According to the report, the Supreme Court refused to review her case.

The report recorded some reversals. In June, an appeals court acquitted former journalist Bayan Zhumagulova in a social-media hate-incitement case. The same court acquitted media designer Ernis Zheentayev of distributing extremist materials, while upholding a separate charge and replacing his punishment with probation. Blogger Adilet Ali Myktybek was released in May. Musician and poet Askat Zhetigen was released from prison in August after serving a sentence for calls to seize power violently. While imprisoned, he had reported harsh treatment of inmates and inadequate medical care, and the ombudsman’s office passed his complaints to the Prosecutor General’s Office.

IPHR separately highlighted pressure linked to foreign investment, land use and relations with China. In July, presidential administration information policy chief Dairbek orunbekov warned on Facebook of criminal liability for spreading “fake news” and discrediting the authorities. The post included photographs and personal data of dozens of human rights defenders, activists, journalists, lawyers and opposition figures. Some named individuals said they had not written about China or related issues. The publication drew accusations that it was intended to pressure critics.