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OSCE human rights office welcomes dialogue with opposition in Kyrgyzstan
WARSAW 28 May 2002
Warsaw, 28 May 2002 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) welcomes yesterday's meeting between the President and representatives of the opposition as a step towards stabilizing the political situation in Kyrgyzstan.
"It is crucial now that both sides continue this dialogue", said ODIHR Director Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann. "We commend the political will demonstrated by the country's leadership during the past days to begin the process of restoring confidence and promoting stability, following the recent escalation of tensions."
Yesterday's meeting took place as part of a series of decisions taken by the President and the National Security Council last week to address conclusions of a state commission set up to investigate the shooting of demonstrators by police in March. These decisions included the abolition of a decree restricting press and religious freedoms. Also, the Prime Minister and a number of senior officials offered their resignation last week.
The ODIHR also welcomes a court decision resolving that Parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov no longer faces imprisonment. However, in view of the serious irregularities that marked his trial, the ODIHR calls on authorities to ensure that any appeal procedure in his case will be conducted strictly in line with fair-trial standards, and that Mr. Beknazarov's status as a Member of Parliament will remain untouched until a final verdict is reached.
"It is crucial now that both sides continue this dialogue", said ODIHR Director Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann. "We commend the political will demonstrated by the country's leadership during the past days to begin the process of restoring confidence and promoting stability, following the recent escalation of tensions."
Yesterday's meeting took place as part of a series of decisions taken by the President and the National Security Council last week to address conclusions of a state commission set up to investigate the shooting of demonstrators by police in March. These decisions included the abolition of a decree restricting press and religious freedoms. Also, the Prime Minister and a number of senior officials offered their resignation last week.
The ODIHR also welcomes a court decision resolving that Parliamentarian Azimbek Beknazarov no longer faces imprisonment. However, in view of the serious irregularities that marked his trial, the ODIHR calls on authorities to ensure that any appeal procedure in his case will be conducted strictly in line with fair-trial standards, and that Mr. Beknazarov's status as a Member of Parliament will remain untouched until a final verdict is reached.