Case KGZ 050809
Enforced disappearance/ Incommunicado detention/ Ill-treatment
The International Secretariat of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Kyrgyzstan.
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by the Kyrgyz Committee for Human Rights (KCHR), a member of OMCT SOS-Torture Network, about the violent arrest of Ms. Ayzharkyn Asanova, Ms. Gulnaz Zhamgyrchieva, Mr. Baktybek Asanakunov, Mr. Sadyr Musabayev, Mr. Kurmanbek Abdykadyrov, Mr. Nurdolo Kozhokmatov, Mr. Mirbek Sagyn, Mr. Salamat Kudaibergenov, Mr. Syrgak Mambetaliev and Mr. Anarbek Urmanbektov as well as of the enforced disappearance of Mr. Sopiev Kanat (coordinator of KCHR in Issyk-Kul region) since 23 July 2009.
According to the information received, on 23 July 2009, Ms. Ayzharkyn Asanova, Ms. Gulnaz Zhamgyrchieva, Mr. Baktybek Asanakunov, Mr. Sadyr Musabayev, Mr. Kurmanbek Abdykadyrov, Mr. Nurdolo Kozhokmatov, Mr. Mirbek Sagyn, Mr. Salamat Kudaibergenov, Mr. Syrgak Mambetaliev, Mr. Anarbek Urmanbektov and Mr. Sopiev Kanat were arrested and severely beaten by police officers while they were protesting in front of the administration building in Balykchy. They were reportedly urging the authorities not to manipulate the votes on the occasion of the presidential elections.
According to the same information, all of them, except Mr. Sopiev Kanat, whose whereabouts have remained unknown since his arrest, are currently detained in prison n°3 in Karakol, with reportedly no access to a lawyer or their families. They would be charged with “obstruction of the exercise of electoral rights and interference in the work of electoral commission” (article 139 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code), “mass riots” (article 233 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code) and “public calls to violent change of the constitutional regime” (article 297 of the Kyrgyz Criminal Code).
The International Secretariat of OMCT is gravely concerned for the safety of Mr. Sopiev Kanat, as his whereabouts remain unknown, as well as for the safety of Ms. Ayzharkyn Asanova, Ms. Gulnaz Zhamgyrchieva, Mr. Baktybek Asanakunov, Mr. Sadyr Musabayev, Mr. Kurmanbek Abdykadyrov, Mr. Nurdolo Kozhokmatov, Mr. Mirbek Sagyn, Mr. Salamat Kudaibergenov, Mr. Syrgak Mambetaliev and Mr. Anarbek Urmanbektov, who are currently detained incommunicado. OMCT fears that they may be subjected to torture or other ill-treatment.
OMCT urges the competent Kyrgyz authorities to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of all the above mentioned individuals at all times in accordance with international human rights law, in particular the provisions of the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as to take all necessary measures to immediately locate the whereabouts of Mr. Sopiev Kanat.
Finally, OMCT recalls to the authorities of Kyrgyzstan hat no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention.
Please write to the authorities in Kyrgyzstan urging them to:
i. Ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards.
Please also write to the embassies of Kyrgyzstan in your respective country.
Geneva, 5 August 2009
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this appeal in your reply.