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Persecuted in Kyrgyzstan

Right now

  1. Don't share or keep material from Kloop, Temirov Live or Ait Ait Dese.
  2. Think about digital security before posting criticism: people are detained over social media 'calls'.
  3. Use UN mechanisms: a UN finding already led to a journalist's case being reviewed.

Write to Access Now Digital Security Helpline Who helps (5)

Draft: not yet checked by a lawyerThe guides below are drafts: a lawyer has not reviewed them yet. This is not legal advice.

Draft What human rights defenders advise

Persecuted in Kyrgyzstan
  • Kloop, Temirov Live and Ait Ait Dese are designated 'extremist': sharing or keeping their material can lead to charges (up to 3 years). Officials publicly call posts about China, land and foreign debt 'fakes'.
  • Bir Duino still works in the country (free legal aid, torture victim support, Bishkek and Osh). Human rights defenders: Front Line Defenders and ProtectDefenders.eu ('undesirable' in Russia).
  • UN findings matter: the Supreme Court ordered a review of journalist Makhabat Tajibek kyzy's case after the UN Working Group found her detention unlawful.
  • Rallies in central Bishkek have been banned since 2022; people are also detained over social media 'calls'. Think about digital security before posting criticism.

Designations of organisations in this guide: ProtectDefenders.eu (undesirable). Contacting them carries a risk: do not write from a phone that may be seized, and do not repost their materials.

current as of 26 September 2026. More: IPHR: Kyrgyzstan, August 2026; CPJ: Kloop and Temirov Live declared 'extremist'

Who helps

5 organisations · contacts checked against the organisations' sites 26 September 2026

Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan Human Rights Movement

Free legal aid, support for victims of torture and ill-treatment, monitoring of political cases. Offices in Bishkek and Osh.

Kyrgyzstan's 2024 'foreign representatives' law puts pressure on foreign-funded NGOs. Ask which programmes are currently running. In March 2026 police questioned its head, Tolekan Ismailova, including about the group's funding.

Other ways to reach them: Bishkek: +996 501 156-390 · Osh: +996 555 161-300 · birduinokyrgyzstan@gmail.com (a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)

Kyrgyzstan
Get in touch birduino.kg

Adilet Legal Clinic

One of Kyrgyzstan's largest human rights groups since 2002: legal advice and paperwork, including documents for foreign nationals.

UNHCR lists the clinic as its legal partner in Kyrgyzstan, but the clinic's website shows no recent dates. Call or write before relying on it.

Other ways to reach them: website · lc.adilet@gmail.com · Facebook

Kyrgyzstan
Call +996312653513(a call stays in the phone log and with the operator)

Front Line Defenders

Emergency support for human rights defenders at risk: protection grants, secure contact, publicity and advocacy after detention.

For people targeted for peaceful human rights work, including activists and journalists.

Other ways to reach them: protection grants

worldwide
Get in touch frontlinedefenders.org

ProtectDefenders.eu

The EU human rights defenders mechanism: emergency grants, temporary relocation, trial monitoring.

Designated 'undesirable' in Russia. If you travel to Russia, contacting it or joining its events can lead to prosecution, so check with a lawyer.

worldwide undesirable
Get in touch protectdefenders.eu

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