Kyrgyzstan Supreme Court to Reconsider Journalist’s Wrongful Conviction Amid International Pressure
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan – The Kyrgyz Supreme Court is scheduled to review the case of investigative journalist Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy on February 2nd, potentially leading to her release after a conviction widely condemned as politically motivated and a violation of international human rights law.
Tazhibek-kyzy, along with ten colleagues, was arrested on January 16, 2024, and charged with “calls for mass disorder” – accusations stemming directly from their work with independent media projects Temirov LIVE and Ayt Ayt Dese, known for their reporting on corruption and human rights abuses within Kyrgyzstan. She was subsequently sentenced to six years in prison on October 10, 2024, following a trial criticized for failing to meet international fair trial standards. Appeals have consistently upheld the conviction.
The case has drawn significant attention from international rights organizations, most notably the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In an opinion published in October 2025 (available here), the UN group unequivocally stated that Tazhibek-kyzy’s detention was arbitrary, a breach of multiple international human rights provisions, and a direct consequence of her exercising freedom of expression.
“The Kyrgyzstani authorities now have a clear and unavoidable choice: uphold their international human rights obligations or continue to defy them,” said Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director. “The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has unequivocally concluded that Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy’s imprisonment is unlawful, her conviction must be quashed, and she must be immediately released and compensated for the violations suffered. There is nothing ambiguous, optional or symbolic about this decision.”
Struthers further emphasized the chilling effect Tazhibek-kyzy’s continued detention has on independent journalism in Kyrgyzstan. “Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy’s continuous detention sends a chilling message to all independent voices in Kyrgyzstan that reporting on corruption and human rights abuses comes at the price of freedom.”
Kyrgyzstan’s constitution guarantees freedom of speech, but rights groups have documented a growing trend of restrictions on media freedom and civil society in recent years. According to Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Kyrgyzstan ranks 126th out of 180 countries, indicating a challenging environment for journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists has also raised concerns about the use of vaguely worded laws to suppress critical reporting.
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing represents a crucial opportunity for Kyrgyzstan to demonstrate its commitment to the rule of law and international human rights standards. The outcome will be closely watched by international observers and could have significant implications for the future of independent journalism and freedom of expression in the country.
[Instagram Post Placeholder – Image of Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy with text overlay: “Free Makhabat Tazhibek-kyzy – #Kyrgyzstan #PressFreedom”]
[X/Twitter Embed Placeholder – Tweet from Amnesty International regarding the case, linking to their statement]
