Emergency forum in the capital of Kyrgyzstan on October 31 discussed the state of affairs with the freedom of speech and meetings in the country. Once the forum was over, civil activists made an appeal to President Kurmanbek Bakiyev pointing out that the processes taking place in the country were becoming totalitarian and encroachments on rights and bans of rallies a norm.

Encroachment on the freedom of expression and pressure applied to journalists were mentioned as well. Over a dozen journalists fell victim of attacks in Kyrgyzstan this year. Free-lance journalist Alisher Saipov was assassinated in Osh a week ago.

The president as guarantor of the Constitution was asked to take adequate measures and prevent similar episodes from happening again.