A MID-TERM BRIEFING ON UPR IMPLEMENTATION

The School of Peacemaking and Media Technology participated in a mid-term briefing on the implementation of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) for Kyrgyzstan.

The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council that calls on all UN member states to undergo an expert assessment of their human rights situation every four and a half years.

The event was organized by the Bir Duino Human Rights Movement - Kyrgyzstan with the support of the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for Central Asia. Representatives of international organizations, development agencies and the diplomatic corps took part in the mid-term briefing.

The School of Peacemaking and Media Technology (SPMT) has been participating in the review of the recommendation’s implementation in the field of freedom of expression and safety of journalists in Kyrgyzstan for the past three years.

Inga Sikorskaia, SPMT’s director, presented at the panel discussion an analysis of the implementation. 13 countries made 15 recommendations to Kyrgyzstan on freedom of expression issues.

" 10% have been fully implemented, 30% has been partially implemented, and 60% of the comments have not yet been implemented”,- pointed Sikorskaia. She also explained what the authorities should do to improve the situation as quickly as possible. For example, repeal legislative initiatives restricting freedom of expression, ensure consultation with civil society and media professionals on any future legislative initiatives, and refrain from adopting any restrictions that are inconsistent with the requirements of necessity and proportionality in Article 19(3) of the ICCPR.