Chairman-in-Office welcomes pardon of Kyrgyz human rights activist Turgunaliyev

BUCHAREST, 22 August 2001 (OSCE) - The OSCE Chairman-in-Office, Romanian Foreign Minister Mircea Geoana, welcomes the decision taken by the Kyrgyz President, Askar Akayev, to sign a decree on pardoning the well-known human rights activist Topchubek Turgunaliyev.

The Chairman-in-Office commends this recent development and praises the Kyrgyz President for abiding by the assurances previously given. The OSCE Chairmanship strongly encourages Kyrgyzstan to pursue all efforts to promote the democratic processes in the country. Such efforts would also contribute to further strengthening security and the economic prospects of Kyrgyzstan.

In this context, the Chairman-in-Office encourages the Kyrgyz Government to display the same attitude towards other activists. The 10th anniversary of the country's independence offers a good opportunity for similar gestures confirming the commitment of the Kyrgyz Republic to the OSCE human rights principles and values.

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For further information, please contact Mans Nyberg, Acting OSCE Spokesperson, Press and Public Information Section of the OSCE Secretariat, tel.: (+ 43-1) 514 36 180, or e-mail: info@osce.org