Authorities in Kyrgyzstan Concerned about Repeat of “Ukraine Scenario”

Authorities in Kyrgyzstan have "poisoned" the political environment in the run-up to parliamentary elections, using a variety of tactics apparently designed to hinder opposition activity, the rights group Human Rights Watch has charged. Kyrgyz authorities, meanwhile, defend their actions, saying the opposition is bent on fostering disorder.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) sent a letter on February 14 to President Askar Akayev detailing government abuses, and warning that heavy-handed behavior could discredit the results of the February 27 parliamentary elections. The letter complained that officials had improperly excluded opposition-oriented candidates from joining the campaign, and had taken action to restrict freedom of assembly. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive]. It also cited "a series of troubling statements," that were apparently designed to "impugn and intimidate" opposition activists.

"Your government has made clear, through statements and action, its opposition to any repeat of the