Freedom of Assembly and Press Freedom in Kyrgyzstan

March 26, 2008, Bishkek - Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch participated in a Round Table discussion and spoke about two specific freedoms that are important to Kyrgyzstan’s continued democratic development –  Freedom of Assembly and Freedom of Expression. "As in any country striving for democracy, there are central freedoms that must be upheld for true democratic development to take place." (full text)

 The International Women of Courage Award

On March 5, in honor of the International Women’s Day, Ambassador of the United States Marie Yovanovitch  presented Cholpon Djakupova, a well-known human rights advocate, the U.S. Department of States’ International Woman of Courage Award, for her outstanding work for, among other thigns, protecting the rights of Uzbek refugees and detainees in 2005. Ambassador Yovanovitch stated, “Cholpon is an example of when one woman can make a huge difference in the protection of human rights of her fellow citizens.”

The International Women of Courage award was inaugurated in 2007 by the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in honor of International women’s Day. The award is celebrating women of courage – women who have taken risks, and have made the world a better place for all. In the Kyrgyz Republic, last year’s recipient was Bubusara Ryskulova, the head of the “Sezim” shelter, for her work with battered and abused women and children.

Ambassador Yovanovitch also hosted an exhibition of works and essays by female artists and students on the topic of “Realizing the Dream: Worldwide Equality for Women.”  Sixteen works were submitted for the exhibition, and six of them were selected by a committee for special mention.