President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Zhaparov spoke about the situation regarding freedom of speech and human rights in the country in an interview with Kabar News Agency.
— Relatives of 11 detained journalists and bloggers, as well as some international and public organizations, talk about worsening situation with freedom of speech. Are there such problems in Kyrgyzstan?
— It is impossible to restrict freedom of speech in Kyrgyzstan. The people will not allow it. Kyrgyz people have been supporters of freedom of speech since time immemorial. And they continue to live with freedom of speech. Those who claim the situation has worsened are themselves interested in destabilizing the situation. By using the term “freedom of speech”, they do whatever they want by any means necessary. These are “false patriots”. They actively engage in propaganda that contradicts our mentality and traditions. There are cases of discrediting someone by spreading false information. We will not let selfish aims to destabilize the situation and make them reality. It well who is behind this. If the authorities had unfairly encroached on freedom of speech, the people would have risen up long ago. As for those who, truly rely on freedom of speech, criticizing the authorities and expose the faces of corrupt officials in power, this is a completely different situation. We only benefit from them. Such citizens can speak their thoughts and make appeals via the Internet or in Gorky Square. In this way they will help uncover the faces of dishonest officials and cleanse of them.
People here speak whatever they want and let them. It doesn’t matter where the thought is expressed, on the street or on the Internet, let them speak. Nobody forbids it. As a state we must restore order in the country, ensure the rule of law, and instill in citizens the respect for each other. Before this, the country was in chaos. From now on, we will establish order in all areas. Of course it takes time. It is impossible to change everything in one day or a year.
— There is also a lot of talk about the situation about human rights. Is there cause for concern regarding the protection of human rights and democracy in the country?
- There is no reason to worry. Human rights observed respected. Definetely, I am far from saying that we are 100% perfect. There are some omissions. This happens due to the human factor. There are many cases where omissions are due to the fault of courts or law enforcement agencies. Sometimes, there are cases when citizens are treated unfairly. Here we admit mistakes. But at the same time, we try to immediately respond to such cases and protect the legal rights of citizens. Anything can happen in life, and there are people whose rights have been violated in any other country in the world, not only in our country.
The democracy that we have does not exist even in those countries that reproach us. Our democracy is at a much higher level than theirs. But, unfortunately, some citizens are trying to use the concept of “democracy” in a completely different direction. Under the guise of democracy, spreading false information, they call for unrest. They believe that having denigrated someone, they can go on as if nothing had happened. Some news outlets, without making sure of the reliability of the information and without conducting an investigation, publish lies, presenting them as truth. In general, there are many such situations in the country. Therefore, we must learn to use democracy correctly.
— They say that Kyrgyzstan has dropped one line in world rankings of democracy and freedom of speech...
— Who compiles the world rankings? They are made up precisely by those who hide behind freedom of speech. If we agreed to their terms, instilled their harmful policies that are contrary to our nation's nature, then we would come out on top in the ratings of freedom of speech and protection of human rights. We do not need leadership that will morally destroy the state over time.
Interviewed by Director of Kabar News Agency Mederbek Shermetaliev
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