| 20.06.2006 To the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. K.Bakiev Vienna. 20 June 2006 Dear Mr. President, The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights would like to ask you to support the registration of the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights (KCHR), whose application is currently being considered by the Commission on Human Rights of the President. The KCHR re-registered in 2003 with the same name but under a different leadership after it submitted to Ministry of Justice an ineligible protocol outlining changes on its board. The KCHR, chaired by Mr. R. Dyryldaev, has sought to protect human rights and democracy in Kyrgyzstan for a long period of time. During President Akaev's rule, the organization was persecuted by a wide-scale campaign aimed at discrediting its chair - Mr. Dyryldaev, by nefarious publications circulated by the press, and by various other influential attempts to undermine the authority of the organization. Furthermore, an illicit criminal case was initiated against Mr. Dynyldaev. The case was only finally closed in December 2005. Even ordinary staff members of the Committee were persecuted. On May 3’d, 2006 the KCHR sent you an appeal for the renewal of its registration. However, as of now, the issue remains undecided. The International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights truly hopes that competent bodies will take the concrete and relevant measures necessary to finalize the registration of the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights as well as address the illegal persecution of its staff members. We are grateful for your consideration Sincerely, IHF Executive Director |