Freedom of assembly is under threat in Kyrgystan after President Kurmanbek Bakiev signed an amended law on the rights of citizens on 6 August. The amendment makes it mandatory to register public gatherings twelve days in advance, and prohibits demonstrations over a period of several hours.
The amendments were passed despite an earlier court ruling that they were unconstitutional. Following complaints from the human rights community, the president’s press office stated that all such comments were fully considered but that the changes were necessary to guarantee the freedoms and rights of all citizens.
