In Kyrgyzstan, human rights activists call for the release of prisoners due to coronavirus

The Coalition Against Torture calls on the government to take urgent and extraordinary measures to reduce the risk of an outbreak of coronavirus inside closed institutions and to reduce the risk of complicating relations with prisoners.

“We urgently call for an audit of the legal situation of all convicted, suspected, accused and detained, and, if there is the slightest legitimate opportunity, to release them. Similar measures have already been taken by some countries with a view to preventive measures,” the Coalition said in its open appeal.

Human rights activists emphasize that about 10 thousand people are kept in the prison system of Kyrgyzstan, all of them may turn out to be among vulnerable groups.

“If an infection enters the facility through staff, lawyers, or newly arrived prisoners, they can infect everyone. The likelihood of such events cannot be ruled out. If the virus penetrates the colonies and pre-trial detention centers, the situation may be unpredictable. In case of infection, the patient will need to be urgently evacuated to a special hospital and placed in a special box or ward, accompanied by a convoy. But it must be recognized that there is simply no such possibility in reality,” human rights activists emphasize.