…now manage from time to time to hold pickets to protest…

Uznews.net – The Constitutional Court of Kyrgyzstan has abolished amendments to the law on rallies and assemblies which allowed the authorities to define venues for these events. This is in stark contrast to the situation in Uzbekistan.

In response to the Citizens against Corruption human rights organisation’s complaints, the Constitutional Court recognised these amendments as anticonstitutional.

Kyrgyz citizens now have the right to assemble peacefully wherever and whenever they wish.

The Kyrgyz situation is totally different from the one in Uzbekistan, which in practice bans any rallies and demonstrations, even though they are allowed by the constitution and should be held “in line with the existing law”. This stipulation means that rallies should be authorised by the local authorities.

Moreover, the notion of picket which may be staged by few people or even one individual is not specified in Uzbekistan’s legislation.

Despite restrictions, pickets by small groups of human rights activists did take place in Uzbekistan in the past and even used to produce some results when local officials came out of their offices to listen to people’s demands.

“However, after the Andijan events in 2005, firstly, I have lost faith in the efficiency of pickets and, secondly, it has become insecure here,” human rights activist Surat Ikramov said of the current situation in the country, where the authorities now prevent human rights activists from leaving their homes or reaching intended destinations to stage pickets.

Only ordinary citizens now manage from time to time to hold pickets to protest against government abuses.