Freedom for Eurasia expresses deep concern regarding the Uzbek government use of false promises and pressure on family members to persuade Karakalpaks abroad to return, assuring them they will not face harsh prosecution, only to later sentence them to prison. This was evident in the case of Rinat Utambetov, who held asylum seeker status in […] The post Silencing And Coercion: The Plight of Karakalpaks Under Uzbek Repression appeared first on Freedom For Eurasia.| Freedom For Eurasia
Freedom For Eurasia latest issue paper documents the alarming rise in politically motivated harassment, smear campaigns, surveillance, and imprisonment targeting women in Kyrgyzstan. From journalists and rights defenders to politicians and bloggers — women are being punished simply for participating in public life. This paper analyzes how the state systematically uses legal, digital, and psychological […] The post New Report: Silencing Women – State-Led Political Violence in Kyrgyzstan...| Freedom For Eurasia
Date: August 22, 2025 Freedom For Eurasia commends the United States and United Kingdom‘s decisive move to impose sanctions on financial networks and cryptocurrency exchanges exploited by Russia, with a specific focus on Kyrgyzstan. This is an important step in hindering the Kremlin’s efforts to hide their desperate attempts to soften the impact of our […]| Freedom For Eurasia
Chris Rickleton for Freedom For Eurasia Jenish Aidarov takes cover at the side of a road during intense clashes between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in April 2021. Photo credit Jenish Aidarov In April 2021, when war broke out at Kyrgyzstan’s frontier with Tajikistan, Jenish Aidarov was among the first journalists on the scene, taking cover by […] The post Central Asia: A Prime Casualty In Trump’s War On Pro-Democracy Media appeared first on Freedom For Eurasia.| Freedom For Eurasia
OMCT and FIDH Host Side Event: Repressive Trends Threatening Human Rights Defenders in Eastern Europe, South Caucasus, and Central Asia The original Helsinki Act, more formally the Helsinki Final Act, signed on August 1, 1975, by 35 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and most European nations, to reduce tensions during the Cold War. It established principles for […] The post Repression Surging Against Human Rights Defenders in Eastern Europe and Central Asia” appeared first on Fre...| Freedom For Eurasia
Vienna, August 8, 2025 – Freedom For Eurasia (FFE) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation of the recent decision by the Austrian Federal Administrative Court regarding the asylum case of Pavel Gekkiev (also known as Takhir Shurukov) and his family. The court’s decision to dismiss their appeals for international protection and extend Mr. Gekkiev’s […] The post Freedom For Eurasia Condemns Austrian Court Ruling in Gekkiev Case appeared first on Freedom For Eurasia.| Freedom For Eurasia
Chris Rickleton and Beiimbet Moldagali for Freedom for Eurasia Family members and neighbor (far right) of Alimnur Turganbay outside their house on August 4, 2025, in the village of Uzynagash near Almaty, Kazakhstan. Photo by Chris Rickleton As Alimnur Turganbay was preparing to set off for Kazakhstan’s Kalzhat–Dulata border crossing with China, he let his oldest daughter Riza […]| Freedom For Eurasia
Freedom for Eurasia expresses its ongoing concern regarding the case of Dauletmurat Tajimuratov, a Karakalpak human rights defender and lawyer, who remains in detention in Uzbekistan under conditions that raise serious human rights concerns. We note that a joint communication sent by the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; […] The post Concerning the Arbitrary Detention and Treatment of Karakalpak Human Rights Defen...| Freedom For Eurasia
At Freedom For Eurasia, we are deeply troubled by recent actions in Kyrgyzstan that threaten freedom of expression and appear to promote self-censorship among journalists, activists, and everyday citizens. These actions include a harsh new draft media law, a restrictive court order against an independent journalist, and the potential closure of the independent broadcaster April […] The post Freedom of expression eroding in Kyrgyzstan appeared first on Freedom For Eurasia.| Freedom For Eurasia
3 July 2025 We, the undersigned human rights groups, are deeply alarmed by the June 25 decision of the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic to dissolve the National Center for the Prevention of Torture (NCPT) – an independent public body tasked with monitoring detention facilities and preventing torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment. We urge President Sadyr Zhaparov […]| Freedom For Eurasia
Tashkent, Uzbekistan — A troubling case of retaliation against whistleblowers and their legal defenders is unfolding in Uzbekistan, raising serious concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the government’s commitment to meaningful reform. On May 24, prominent Tashkent-based lawyer Allan Pashkovskiy published a video address to the President, Prosecutor General, and Chairman of the […]| Freedom For Eurasia
