Harassment of journalists mounts in run-up to next month’s presidential election

Reporters Without Borders condemns the severe beating that Abduvakhab Moniev, the deputy editor of the Kyrgyz-language weekly Achyg Sayasat (Open Politics), received from an unidentified individual on 5 June in Bishkek. The newspaper has often been the target of harassment by the authorities. “The increase in harassment of the media in the run-up to the 23 July presidential election is worrying,” Reporters Without Borders said. “Every political crisis and turning point since the 2005 Tulip Revolution has been accompanied by violence in which journalists have often been targets. We urge the authorities to issue clear instructions that media diversity should be respected and that journalists should be able to work safely.” The press freedom organisation added: “The frequency of cases of violence and intimidation and the implication of the security forces in several incidents suggest that the authorities are at least partially responsible. They should set any example by refraining from practices that violate democratic standards.” Moniev had to be hospitalised after the assault, which was probably carried out by the unidentified man who had arranged a meeting with him that evening in order to “give him important information.” His colleagues believe the attack was connected to his work, in particular, to articles critical of government officials. Distribution of the weekly in the Issyk Kul region (300 km east of Bishkek) was blocked two weeks ago by police, who seized several thousand copies. Moniev had immediately filed a complaint about the seizure. Several journalists were prevented from covering election meetings organised by opposition candidates in or near Tyup (in Issyk Kul) on 1 June, although journalists had no problem attending meetings in support of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who is running for another term. Journalists speaking on condition of anonymity said the president’s office has issued very strict instructions to state media journalists. The state-owned Kanal 5 TV station, for example, has reportedly been urged to provide very little coverage of the opposition campaign. There have been several cases of violence against journalists since March. In the most serious incident, Syrgak Abdyldaev of the independent weekly Reporter Bishkek was stabbed more than 20 times. There have been many political crises since the Tulip Revolution brought Bakiyev to power in March 2005. The government recently let it be known that it planned to limit the number of Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe observers who monitor next month’s election in order ensure “harmonious” conditions for the polling. Kyrgyzstan was ranked 111th out of 173 countries in the 2008 Reporters Without Borders press freedom index.