OSCE Media Freedom Representative publishes Comments to the Draft Information Security Concept of Kyrgyzstan

VIENNA, 21 June 2019 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Harlem Désir, today published the Commentary to the Draft Information Security Concept of Kyrgyzstan for 2019-2023 commissioned by his Office and prepared by Dmitri Golovanov, a legal counsel from the Russian Federation. The Commentary was shared with the Kyrgyz authorities on 22 May 2019.

“I am pleased that the Concept, which was presented to the public for discussion earlier this year, focuses on establishing a modern information environment in which modern communication tools are referenced,” said Désir. “I welcome the priorities set out in the document, in particular, the development of modern information technologies and the domestic telecommunications infrastructure, meeting the needs of the domestic market.”

“However, the legal analysis of the Draft Information Security Concept shows that the authorities must be careful not to oppose the objective of protecting information security to the basic right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media,” Désir added.

The commentary offers a number of recommendations and is available here (in Russian): https://www.osce.org/ru/representative-on-freedom-of-media/423788?download=true. An English summary is also available here: https://www.osce.org/representative-on-freedom-of-media/423791?download=true

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.