- OSCE media freedom representative offers support to restore public broadcasting in Kyrgyzstan

VIENNA, 12 May 2010 - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatovic, today welcomed efforts by the interim Kyrgyz government to restore public service broadcasting (PSB), and offered support in this endeavour.

"I see the reinstatement of public service broadcasting as a vital guarantee for media pluralism," Mijatovic said, while commending the Decree issued by the interim government on 30 April to establish public service broadcasting in the country. "PSB can play a significant role, especially in the society which has been going through political turmoil, by offering fair and impartial information, providing objective news reporting and transmitting diverse, high-quality programming to the citizens," she added.

The Representative also emphasized the importance of creating a broadcasting framework that guarantees editorial autonomy, long-term sufficient funding and an independent oversight mechanism.

"I am pleased to learn that representatives of the civil society and media community are actively involved in the renewed efforts to restore public service broadcasting," Mijatovic said.

To support the process, the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has offered the interim authorities a legal analysis of the Decree on public broadcasting, including recommendations on how to ensure compliance with international standards and OSCE commitments.

"Together with the Kyrgyz authorities and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, my Office is ready to assist with the reform of public service broadcasting and other media reforms as needed. As part of our support, we are now developing concrete plans for co-operation, and I look forward to discussing progress on their implementation during my forthcoming visit," she concluded.

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- OSCE and Venice Commission host roundtable meeting on constitutional reform in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 13 May, 2010 - High-level representatives of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government and international experts are meeting today in Bishkek at a roundtable meeting organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission. 

The meeting was convened to discuss the far-reaching constitutional changes proposed following the violent political crisis in early April. It takes place ahead of a public consultation process and a referendum on the new constitution scheduled for 27 June.

"The constitution will be a success if it instills checks and balances and prevents violent revolutions by ensuring that all forces may resolve deadlocks in a peaceful manner," said Roza Otunbaeva, the head of Kyrgyzstan’s interim government at the opening.

The Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, Lilian Dari, stated that "the process which is being witnessed right now reflects the desire to return the country to a state of supremacy of the law and for this reason the constitution must be, among others, implementable and sustainable."

Denis Petit, Acting Head of ODIHR’s Democratization Department, added that while there is no standard recipe for constitutional design, any constitution of a democratic state should reflect key principles such as the separation of powers, accountability of the state, and the independence of institutions responsible for guaranteeing constitutional order and the protection of fundamental freedoms and rights. "The ultimate test is how a constitution is implemented in practice and whether it gains public confidence," he said.

Serguei Kouznetsov, Head of the Unit of Regional Co-operation Programmes of the Venice Commission said: "A constitution based on the principle of separation of powers is just the beginning of the process of legislative reform in Kyrgyzstan."

The over 150 officials, international experts, academics and civil society representatives reviewed proposed changes to provisions on the powers of the parliament, the president, the judiciary and the electoral system. Participants also discussed provisions of the constitution which concern fundamental rights and freedoms, constitutional review by the court, the role of the prosecutor and rights of minorities.

The event was supported by the European Commission and the United Nations.

ODIHR announced earlier this week that it will observe the 27 June constitutional referendum.

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