OSCE Centre supports monitoring of implementation of new law on freedom of peaceful assembly in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 21 December 2012 – The implementation of the new law on peaceful assemblies in Kyrgyzstan was the focus of an OSCE-supported discussion that took place in Bishkek today.

The event brought together representatives of national authorities, including the Justice and Interior Ministries, the State Committee of National Security, the expert community, civil society and international organizations.

The purpose of the event was to discuss ways to improve the implementation of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Kyrgyzstan. The discussion concludes the six-month project on monitoring of assemblies in the country following the signing by the President in July 2012 of the new law on peaceful assemblies.

The project and the event were supported by the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, German Foreign Ministry, Freedom House Kyrgyzstan, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Soros Foundation and the local non-governmental organization Independent Human Rights Group.

Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, said: “Freedom of peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of a democratic society as it allows representatives of diverse groups make their views known. Securing this right contributes to the promotion of understanding between citizens and the government on issues of public concern, thereby promoting more stable and secure societies.”

“Monitoring how freedom of assembly is upheld helps to better understand the nature of the principle and which regulation mechanisms are best suited to safeguard it. We hope that as a result of this discussion all stakeholders will reach a common understanding on these issues, which would facilitate the implementation of the new law in line with international standards.”

Tursunbek Akun, Kyrgyzstan’s Ombudsman, said: “Recently two important laws - the law on creation of the national prevention mechanism and the one on peaceful assemblies - were signed. Today’s event bringing together representatives of structures, which participated in the creation of the laws encourages further co-operation to promote the effective implementation of the legislation.”

The State Secretary of the Justice Ministry Chinara Mamidinova said: “Our Ministry took the lead in the drafting of the new law on freedom of assembly. In doing so, we sought to observe all the requirements to ensure all opinions were considered: public discussions took place, the draft was submitted to international expertise, and hearings in the Parliament took place, too. The new law is unique as it contains requirements to the authorities, such as ensuring maximum security during peaceful meetings, also in relation to the people who do not participate in it. Our Ministry is advocating the continuation of monitoring the practical implementation of the law.”