DUSHANBE October 29, 2015, Asia-Plus -- The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry to call on authorities of the five Central Asian nations to halt their crackdown on the press.

In a letter to Kerry released on October 28, CPJ notes freedom of the press has steadily worsened in the post-Soviet countries of Central Asia, according to research by CPJ and other international press freedom and human rights groups.  “In these countries, the media have faced bans on distribution, draconian legislation, and online censorship, and critical journalists and bloggers have been subject to politicized prosecution, violent attacks, murder, and imprisonment,” CPJ said.

CPJ notes that its research shows that authorities in Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan are holding at least six journalists behind bars in relation to their reporting.  Two of them, Muhammad Bekjanov and Yusuf Ruzimuradov, have reportedly been jailed in Uzbekistan on anti-state charges since 1999.  Another, Kyrgyz journalist Azimjon Askarov, is serving a life term in retaliation for his coverage of official abuses.

CPJ specifically asked Kerry publicly call on government officials in Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan to release all journalists imprisoned in relation to their work.

“All of our findings have been reflected in reports and statements issued by the State Department,” CPJ said.

We will recall that Washington’s top diplomat is scheduled to visit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan this week.