OSCE Centre in Bishkek-supported report assesses protection of human rights within Kyrgyzstan’s armed forces

BISHKEK, 19 April 2016 – An OSCE Centre in Bishkek-supported report detailing the protection of human rights within the Kyrgyz Armed Forces and recommendations to the Kyrgyz Government on how to improve the situation was presented in Bishkek today by the Kylym Shamy NGO, the Kyrgyz Ombudsman Office, the National Centre on the Prevention of Torture and the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

The report is the result of monitoring conducted by the Kylym Shamy NGO in 2015 of military institutions across the country with the aim of promoting transparency and public confidence in the armed forces. It analyzes practices and concerns related to the respect for citizens’ rights during their recruitment into the armed forces, and the rights and freedoms of military personnel as they conduct military service.

The report features recommendations to the Kyrgyz Government on ensuring the protection of human rights in compliance with national and international obligations.

“We hope that this report will help to address gaps in law and practice, will help to improve the quality of recruitment to military service and strengthen the attention of state bodies and local authorities to the organization and conduct of military conscription”, said Head of Kylym Shamy NGO Aziza Abdirasulova.

Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek Sergey Kapinos said: “We support Kyrgyzstan in its implementation of the OSCE Code of Conduct on the Politico-Military Aspect of Security to ensure that military, paramilitary and security-service personnel respect human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Some 50 representatives from the Kyrgyz Government, Parliament, Armed Forces, Defence Council, military judges and prosecutors, donors, international organizations, civil society and media took part in the event.

The event is part of an OSCE Centre in Bishkek project on preventing torture in the country’s military facilities.