OSCE media freedom representative promotes dialogue between judges from Central Asia on protecting freedom of expression while combating violent extremism

VIENNA, 21 December 2018 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, organized on 19 December in Bishkek the first Central Asia Judicial Dialogue, to discuss how to protect freedom of expression while combating violent extremism.

During the event, judges representing higher and appellate courts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan discussed national approaches, current legal trends and best practices in cases involving freedom of expression and freedom of the media, including online content, and policies for countering terrorism and violent extremism. The event was opened by Chairman of the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court Erkinbek Mamyrov, representative of the Cabinet of Ministers Chingiz Esengul, and Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek Pierre von Arx, together with Harlem Désir.

“This was the first important step towards establishing information exchange between members of the judiciary on issues relating to safeguarding freedom of the media while countering extremist narratives. I hope in the future the circle of participants can be expanded to include journalists and media lawyers,’ said Désir.

Willem Frederik Korthals Altes, a judge from the Netherlands, and Leonid Nikitinskiy, member of the Human Rights Council of the Russian Federation, gave presentations at the event, moderated by Otabek Rashidov, Programme Officer in the OSCE Transnational Threats Department/Action against Terrorism Unit.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. He provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.