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UN Chief sharply chides Kyrgyzstan on human rights
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday repeatedly criticized Kyrgyzstan for human rights problems, a strong rebuke to the country once regarded as former Soviet Central Asia's "island of democracy."
Ban said in a speech to the Kyrgyz parliament: "Quite frankly, ladies and gentlemen, recent events have been troubling, including the past few days. I repeat: all human rights must be protected, including free speech and freedom of the media."
Ban did not give specifics, but his mention of events in past days apparently referred to the seizure of computers at a video news web portal, allegedly for using pirated software, and suspension of an opposition newspaper.
As Ban was about to deliver his speech, about 50 police intercepted a small protest group outside, blocking their entrance to the building. A dozen human rights activists held banners aloft calling for freedom of speech and human rights to be observed.