The Progressive Alliance expresses grave concern over the illegal detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov, party leader of the Social Democrats in Kyrgyzstan and a Board Member of the Progressive Alliance. His arrest, along with reports of denial of legal representation and attempts to coerce his withdrawal from the upcoming elections, marks a worrying deterioration in the respect for political freedoms in the Central Asian country.
Moreover, we denounce the delisting of all candidates from the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan in the ballots for the local elections to be held on 17 November 2024, following the arrest and detention of Mr. Sultanbekov.
These actions not only violate fundamental democratic principles but also send a chilling message to those seeking to actively participate in Kyrgyzstan’s political life and to change its worsening direction. The persecution of opposition leaders and the abrupt delisting of established democratic parties erode public trust and undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.
We stand in solidarity with Mr. Sultanbekov and the Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan in their efforts to promote and uphold democratic values and contest power openly through the ballot. We call on the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately release Mr. Sultanbekov and to ensure that his rights are fully upheld, in line with the country’s democratic obligations. His detention, reportedly set for two months, signals a move to suppress opposition votes in the upcoming elections.
Along with fellow democrats around the world, we stand against any form of political harassment. We warn against the use of violence, voter suppression, and any actions that cast doubt on the fairness of the elections scheduled for tomorrow.
We extend our hand to the democratic movement in Kyrgyzstan to safeguard fundamental freedoms and call on the international community to lend their voices in ensuring free and fair elections in the country.
