LGBTIQ
As Kyrgyzstan ushered in a new political post-COVID era, two striking narratives have unfurled: the rise of an assault against independent media and civil society and the fervent espousal of ‘traditional values’. This cocktail of socio-political dynamics has led to an unparalleled squeeze on the LGBT+ community and associated activists. Such domestic strife threatens to upend years of Kyrgyzstan’s democratic progress and freedoms, sacrifices many citizens have fiercely fought for. The increasing vilification of LGBT+ individuals, coupled with a polarising categorisation of citizens as ‘acceptable’ and ‘unacceptable’, sets the stage for heightened societal fissures and burgeoning conflict potential. It is crucial, now more than ever, for civil society and media to forge a robust solidarity front, rallying behind the banner of collective rights and freedoms. (more…)
CABAR.asia talked with the esteemed UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Ms Mary Lawlor, to explore potential avenues for safeguarding and upholding human rights in Central Asia. The rapporteur emphasized her people-centred approach, focusing on the most vulnerable defenders. The rapporteur encouraged anyone with reliable information about human rights defenders’ rights violations to contact her office. We discussed the importance of UN mechanisms in protecting human rights and holding governments accountable, despite the challenges of “democratic backsliding” in some countries of the Central Asian region.
In Uzbekistan, representatives of LGBTIQ community are systematically facing discrimination. There are no signs that the situation might change anyhow. (more…)