In Kyrghyzstan threat for a freedom of speech is created

In Kyrghyzstan dangerous precedent which is real threat for the major gain of our country - Freedom of speech is created! About it, it is spoken in the statement of Executive director of PA "Internews" E.Sarieva.

In the statement it is marked, that while at an official level assurances of adherence of democracy and a freedom of speech continuously sound, in practice to laws in force made toughening additions and changes.

Today, on October 16, 2006, at session in Jogorku Kenesh of KR amendments to the legislation regulating activity of mass media were discussed. In particular, it is offered to punish journalists and mass-media as imprisonment from 5 till 10 years for distribution of extremist materials to mass media.

Public Association "Internews" in Kyrghyzstan considers, that the given unjustified toughening of the legislation conducts to strengthening of self-censorship in mass-media inKR and is threat for development of journalism. « Now number og NGO in sphere of mass-media conducts active campaign on restriction of criminal punishment for publications in mass media. It is necessary to apply the civil legislation to finding-out of infringement of the legislation by mass media, not supposing in no event imprisonment of journalists. Offered amendments not only postpone the Kirghiz information legislation from the international standards in the field of a freedom of speech, but also contradict the positions of Constitution of KR declaring a freedom of speech and independence of mass-media in our country », - is spoken in the statement.

PA "Internews" calls deputies of Jogorku Kenesh of KR to protect the right of mass media on a freedom of speech and to approve of the amendment according to the internationalstandards of the information legislation, applying the civil legislation concerning mass-media and journalists.