Possibilities of Regulating Hate Speech in Kyrgyzstan: Options and Solutions

On 31 July 2024, "Peaceful Communications against Hate Speech" workshop was held in Osh for more than 30 members of public consultation councils (PCC), media representatives, public organizations, government agencies of the Batken, Jalal-Abad and Osh regions.

The workshop aimed at increasing awareness raising on the information security, disinformation, hate speech and discussion of online intolerance to co-create the roadmap to Combat Hate Speech in Kyrgyzstan. Aida Bektasheva, UNESCO national officer in Kyrgyzstan noted the importance of cooperation with all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, media, technology companies and social media platforms. The project's media expert-trainer, Kubat Chekirov noted urgent needs to improve the media and information literacy for all ages and social groups. Only critical thinking, knowledge of methods for recognizing hate speech, understanding its impact and consequences and local conflicts as well in society will help to initiate changes in communications practices and build overall national social cohesion.

• Raikhan Kamalova, a member of the local council of Toguz-Bulak village, Leilek district, Batken region and an activist, noted: “This is the first time I have encountered the concept of hate speech. At the seminar, we had an in-depth discussion on how to prevent the spread of hate speech, especially on social media.”

• Tynchtykbek Dosmuratov, deputy director of the Osh Educational Institute and a media literacy trainer, stressed: “It is very important that the participants of the seminar represented different fields. We must expand the understanding of hate speech and methods of combating it to a wider area and must cover all levels of our society.”

• Kochkonbay uulu Kabyl, head of the information department of the Jalal-Abad mayor’s office, noted: “We often use hostile language in our daily lives without even realizing it. Therefore, such seminars should be held regularly, not only in the regions, but also in the most remote settlements. This will help everyone better understand what hate speech is and how to combat it.”

The workshop included focus group discussions, where participants discussed and proposed their vision and ideas for developing Roadmap to Combat Hate Speech in Kyrgyzstan at the local community’s level with local governments, government agencies, educational institutions, private sector, Media and civil society. Elmira Toktogulova, head of the Foundation for the Development of Media Consulting in Central Asia, emphasized: “We regularly use methods of focus group discussions, working meetings, expert assessments in search of the optimal balance between preserving freedom of speech, pluralism of opinions and responding to prohibited discriminatory language. There is a lot of work to be done to coordinate all positions and develop effective solutions to combat hate speech in Kyrgyzstan at the national level.”

The workshop was held as part of one of the components of the project "Strengthening National Capacity in Peacebuilding and Engagement of Civil Society", implemented by the Fund for the Development of Media Consulting in Central Asia, the UN implementing agencies UNESCO and UNDP with the financial support of the UN Peacebuilding Fund. The partner in the implementation of the project is the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic.