Brussels, 5 May 2023
The European Union noted the recent early dismissal of the Kyrgyz Ombudswoman Ms Atyr Abdrakhmatova, which is a negative development.
The EU considers it to be of critical importance to fully respect the Paris Principles on standards for National Human Rights Institutions, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993, including securing the independence, potential and tenure of the Ombudsperson function, as well as of undertaking an inclusive, transparent and merit-based selection procedure for this post.
The decision of the early dismissal of A. Abdrakhmatova is seen in a context of a number of earlier negative developments related to human rights in Kyrgyzstan, including the country’s dramatic drop in the freedom of press index, and which cast shadow over its overall human rights record.
As a current Member of the UN Human Rights Council, the Kyrgyz Republic has committed to uphold the universal human rights internationally. The EU encourages the Kyrgyz authorities to abide by these important commitments and to uphold, defend and promote these universal principles and values also in Kyrgyzstan.
Source – EEAS