Second anniversary of Azimzhan Askarov’s death in prison

Today marks the second anniversary of the death of Human Rights Defender Azimzhan Askarov, who died while serving a life sentence in prison in Kyrgyzstan on 25 July 2020.

I knew Azimzhan and followed his case over the years. More information at the links below.

It’s 2yrs today since Humans Rights Defender Azimzhan Askarov died in a #Kyrgyzstan prison. He should never have been jailed. At the time, I said his death was a stain on 🇰🇬's human rights record. There's still been no independent investigation into his death & the stain remains. pic.twitter.com/URK7C1aok5

— Mary Lawlor UN Special Rapporteur HRDs (@MaryLawlorhrds) July 25, 2022

Press Release following the death of Askarov: https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/07/kyrgyzstan-death-human-rights-defender-azimjan-askarov-stain-countrys

Communication to the Government in June 2020 expressing concern for Askarov’s health: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=25251

Reply of Kyrgyzstan Government to the above communication: https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadFile?gId=35363