During the conversation, he noted that January 28 marked an important date — five years since he took office as president. A journalist asked what changes had occurred in Kyrgyzstan during this period, as well as about the work carried out by his team, which has been a topic of discussion not only in local but also in foreign media, including Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Sadyr Japarov emphasized that the country has managed to resolve many long-standing issues, initiate international projects, and significantly improve relations with other states. However, despite these achievements, some media expressed concern over the deterioration of the situation regarding freedom of speech and human rights, which prompted a response from the president.
He began his response by stating that freedom of speech and democracy exist in Kyrgyzstan. According to him, citizens have the opportunity to openly discuss any topics — from social to political. Japarov noted that people actively use social networks and media to share their opinions, and no one is persecuted for this.
The president also pointed out that law enforcement agencies do not detain people for criticizing the government, but only those who use freedom of speech to destabilize the situation in the country. In this context, he mentioned a recent incident where a conversation was recorded between a representative of one of the parties and a foreigner, during which plans to organize riots were discussed.
“Deprivation of liberty is a serious step,” he added, emphasizing that the actions of law enforcement are based on judicial decisions and collected evidence.
Japarov also expressed concern about how some citizens use freedom of speech to incite interregional hostility. He noted that any protests should be held in designated areas so as not to interfere with the work of government bodies.
The president mentioned that in other countries, such as the USA and most European states, protests are also sometimes suppressed by force, which, in his opinion, indicates the priority of security and the integrity of the state.
In conclusion, Japarov assured that there are no restrictions on freedom of speech and human rights in Kyrgyzstan, and claims of their violation from certain sources are unfounded.
