The Civic Solidarity Platform (CSP), a network uniting human rights organizations and civil society initiatives across the OSCE region, expresses its serious concern regarding the detention and denial of entry to the Kyrgyz Republic of Professor Steve Swerdlow of the University of Southern California — an internationally recognized human rights expert, researcher, and academic.
According to available information, on 19 May 2026 Professor Steve Swerdlow was detained upon arrival at Manas International Airport in Bishkek and subsequently denied entry into Kyrgyzstan without any clear and transparent legal justification for this decision being publicly provided.
Professor Swerdlow arrived in Kyrgyzstan together with a group of students as part of an educational and academic visit aimed at promoting intercultural dialogue, conducting lectures and meetings with young people, and discussing issues related to human rights, civic participation, and regional development. Such international academic and educational initiatives are of fundamental importance for strengthening open societies, promoting democratic values, and advancing international cooperation.
“Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan” is a member of the Civic Solidarity Platform and conducts monitoring of the human rights situation, protection of the freedoms of peaceful assembly and association, protection of the rights of vulnerable minority groups, and promotion of international human rights standards and democratic freedoms in the Kyrgyz Republic. Despite increasing pressure on civil society, “Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan” continues to play a key role in promoting public dialogue, international cooperation, and support for civic initiatives at both the national and international levels, while defending the rights of the most vulnerable groups living in risk and disaster-prone areas.
We consider this incident to be an alarming signal amid the continuing shrinking of civic space in Kyrgyzstan. In recent years, international organizations, civil society representatives, human rights defenders, independent journalists, and researchers have repeatedly expressed concern over growing pressure on independent media, restrictions on freedom of expression, increased control over non-governmental organizations, and cases of persecution of civic activists.
Particular concern arises from the fact that this case is not an isolated incident. To date, the authorities of Kyrgyzstan have failed to provide official explanations regarding the detention and deportation in December 2025 of representatives of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) — Ilya Nuzov, Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and Raphaël Lopoukhine, Head of Press Office — who were also denied entry into the country without transparent explanation of the reasons.
The lack of transparency, due process, and effective legal remedies in such cases raises serious concerns regarding Kyrgyzstan’s compliance with its international human rights obligations, the principles of the rule of law, and guarantees of academic freedom.
The Civic Solidarity Platform calls on the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to:
— provide clear and transparent explanations regarding the reasons for the detention and entry ban imposed on Professor Steve Swerdlow;
— ensure compliance with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination in decisions affecting freedom of movement, academic freedom, and international cooperation;
— cease the practice of unjustified restrictions targeting international researchers, experts, human rights defenders, and representatives of civil society;
— guarantee compliance with Kyrgyzstan’s international obligations in the field of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The Civic Solidarity Platform expresses its solidarity with the civil society of Kyrgyzstan and reaffirms its support for organizations and activists who continue to defend human rights, democratic values, and space for independent public dialogue in the country.
Human rights, academic freedom, international cooperation, and open civic dialogue should not be perceived as threats, but rather as essential foundations for sustainable democratic development, peace, and security throughout the OSCE region.
Signed by:
Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Helsinki Citizens Assembly Vanadzor
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
Turkmenistan Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
IPHR
Lawtrend
Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Serbia
Human Rights in Mental Health-FGIP
Freedom Files
Crude Accountability