OSCE media freedom representative calls on Kyrgyzstan to halt wave of violent attacks against journalists

VIENNA, 16 June 2009 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, urged Kyrgyz authorities today to do everything in their power to halt a wave of attacks against journalists which is threatening media pluralism ahead of the presidential election.

"Kyrgyzstan's journalists have recently endured an upsurge of brutal attacks, including two this month alone, while many cases from earlier this year have still not been resolved by the authorities," Haraszti said in a letter to Kyrgyzstan's Foreign Minister, Kadyrbek Sarbaev.

The two new incidents, both in June, involved Abduvahab Moniev, the editor of the pro-opposition newspaper Achyk Sayasat, who needed hospital treatment after an assault by unknown attackers, and personnel from the Independent Bishkek Television channel, who were attacked while on duty by four unidentified assailants, two of whom were wearing police uniforms.

In letters to the Minister in March and May of this year, Haraszti asked for information on three other cases of violence involving four journalists.

"This trend is worrisome not only because it threatens the safety of journalism, but also because it endangers pluralism vital in an election year," Haraszti said, referring to the presidential election scheduled for 23 July.

Haraszti repeated his request for information on the investigations into these crimes.