"It is disturbingly ironic that this attack targeted an event aimed at drawing attention to violence and discrimination against LGBTI people, and underscores the urgent need for governments, civil society, religious communities, and others to aggressively combat discrimination..."
This statement was originally published on freedomhouse.org on 18 May 2015.
Following the attack on an event commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Freedom House issued the following statement
“Freedom House condemns all acts of violence against peaceful civic gatherings, and calls on the Kyrgyz authorities to swiftly and fairly investigate this attack and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Mark P. Lagon, president of Freedom House. “It is disturbingly ironic that this attack targeted an event aimed at drawing attention to violence and discrimination against LGBTI people, and underscores the urgent need for governments, civil society, religious communities, and others to aggressively combat discrimination and foster tolerance in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere.”
Kyrgyzstan is rated Partly Free in Freedom in the World 2015, Not Free in Freedom of the Press 2015, Partly Free in Freedom on the Net 2014, and receives a democracy score of 5.89 on a sale of 1 to 7, with 7 as the worst possible score, in Nations in Transit 2014.