Vienna, 09/06/2017
The South East Europe Media Organisation (SEEMO) condemned the legislative pressure exerted by Kyrgyz authorities against journalist Ulugbek Babakulov.
In late May, Babakulov wrote an article that examined social media posts in the Kyrgyz language, which often use ethnic slurs and threats against the country’s Uzbek minority. Since then, the journalist has been receiving death threats and pressure. He ultimately has been charged by authorities for “inciting inter-ethnic hatred”. The media outlet that posted Babakulov’s article is Fergana, a regional media portal based in Moscow, which the government of Kyrgyzstan blocked all access to today.
SEEMO is a network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in South, East and Central Europe.