LGBTI rights activists are seeking international support for their attempts to block a proposed Kyrgyz law that would be even harsher than Russia’s anti-“gay propaganda” law.
Unlike the Russian law, the Kyrgyz proposal would provide for imprisonment for mentioning homosexuality or advocating LGBTI rights.
Labrys, the LGBTI group in Kyrgyzstan, would be outlawed if the law is enacted. It has asked supporters to:
Protest peacefully;
Call and write Kyrgyz officials;
Urge their own governments to do the same; and
Take part in a photo flashmob, using the hashtag #supportLGBTkg.
See below for details.
This is the appeal for help from Labrys:
In the next few weeks members of the Kyrgyz Parliament will consider in second hearing a draft law, which is an almost exact replica of the Russian law on “gay propaganda”. It has passed first hearing by a vote of 79 in favour to 7 against last October.
The draft law proposes amendments into existing Laws on mass media and on peaceful assemblies, administratively and penally criminalizing any public mention of ‘non-traditional sexual relations’ by any individual or legal entity. Should it pass, the law will effectively make it illegal to advocate for, provide information about, or organize a peaceful assembly in support of LGBTIQ rights. Even a public act of ‘coming out’ could be considered ‘propaganda’ and result in a prison term for up to a year.
With registration of this draft law in the Kyrgyz Parliament, the level of homophobic violence in Kyrgyzstan has visibly increased, becoming more organized and grouped, perpetrated in places of assembly of LGBTIQ communities. The already existing physical and sexual violence towards LGBTIQ people will increase as well, as the law will give them more tools for manipulation.
Although the chances that the Parliament will strike down the draft law in its second and third hearings are very slim, there is hope that the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is the guarantor of the Kyrgyz Constitution, will use his power of veto to stop the draft law. However, in order to go against the Parliament in this issue, President Almazbek Atambayev needs to see that the world community stands together with him and the LGBTIQ communities, whose rights he has a chance to protect for the first time in the country’s history.
How Can You Help Us Stop The Homophobia Draft Law?
Protesters in South Africa oppose Kyrgyzstan’s anti-gay bill. (Photo courtesy of Labrys)
Photo flashmob protesters in South Africa oppose Kyrgyzstan’s anti-gay bill. (Photo courtesy of Labrys)
1) Take Part In Our Photo Flashmob #supportLGBTkg and disseminate information about it among your friends, networks, listservers – find out more about participating in the flashmob at this link. [Link is in Russian; this blog is seeking an English version];
2) Organize A Peaceful Protest in front of the Kyrgyz embassy or representative office in your country – the list of Missions of the Kyrgyz Republic is available here. [The list in English is below the list in Russian.] Posters for your protest can be downloaded from here. [The posters are in Russian; this blog is seeking ones in English.]
3) Write A Letter The President Of THE Kyrgyz Republic:
– by post:
President of the Kyrgyz Republic
Atambaev Almazbek Sharshenovich
Chuy 205, Bishkek, 720003
Kyrgyz Republic
– by email: psp@adm.gov.kg, oip@adm.gov.kg;
– or you can use the virtual reception office of the President.
Instructions on filling in the electronic form:
Line 1 – leave everything as it is (it is written there that your letter is addressed to the President)
Line 2 – your name and surname
Line 3 – your email and phone number for feedback
Line 4 – your postal address
Line 5 – your question
Checkbox – “Do not reflect in the news feed” – (do not check it) and captcha below.
The blue button at the bottom of the page – “Send”.
Do not forget to printscreen or take a picture of your letter and upload it on the social media with a hashtag #supportLGBTkg
5) Call The Office Of The President Of THE Kyrgyz Republic by phone: + 996 (312) 62 23 78 and let your opinion about the draft law be known;
6) Write A Letter To The Parliment Of The Kyrgyz Republic:
– by post:
Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic
Chuy 205, Bishkek, 720053
Kyrgyz Republic
– by email: kenesh001@gmail.com, kattar@kenesh.kg.
Do not forget to printscreen or take a picture of your letter and upload it on the social media with a hashtag #supportLGBTkg
7) Call The Parliment Of The Kyrgyz Repiblic by phone: +996 (312) 638 565, +996 (312) 639 125 (press service) and let your opinion about the draft law be known;
8) Address Your Governments With a Request to call the leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic not to pass the discriminatory draft law.
by Colin Stewart
Source – Erasing 76 Crimes
