Author: Aiza Mamataliev

An increase in incidences of measles and rubella has been observed in Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of the year, the press service of the country’s Ministry of Health reported Monday. According to data from the Republican Center for Immunoprophylaxis, 41 cases of measles and 6 cases of rubella have been detected in Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of 2023. Twenty cases were registered in the Osh region. The main reason for the increase is that the coverage of routine immunization against measles and rubella for children and adults has decreased as the number of people refusing preventive vaccination has grown, the…

Kyrgyzstan has detained four leaders of the Hizb ut-Tahrir religious extremist organization in the southwestern town of Kyzyl-Kiya, the country’s State Committee for National Security reported Friday. The special services found that the detainees conducted religious classes to propagate extremist ideology and organized so-called monthly “gatherings” for its members on a conspiratorial basis, said the report. As a result of the searches conducted at the residences of these persons, a large amount of extremist literature was found and seized, as well as electronic devices where relevant materials could be stored, the report added.

Six more Kyrgyzstan citizens have been evacuated from Sudan, the press service of the country’s Foreign Ministry said Wednesday. Thanks to the joint efforts of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, its embassy in Saudi Arabia and the Russian diplomatic mission in Khartoum, among others, the six Kyrgyz citizens returned home from Moscow on Wednesday, said the ministry, expressing gratitude to Russia for its assistance. To date, 13 Kyrgyz citizens have been evacuated from Sudan, including three working at the UN office in Khartoum.

At the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, President Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, President Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan and President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan will pay a state visit to China respectively from May 16 to 20, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying announced on Monday. 

Kyrgyzstan celebrated the 78th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) on Tuesday. Festive events dedicated to Victory Day were held in all the regions of the country. A rally requiem dedicated to Victory Day was held in Bishkek on Victory Square. Speaker of the Parliament Nurlanbek Shakiev, State Secretary Suyunbek Kasmambetov, parliament members, as well as veterans and representatives of the Armed Forces of the country, took part in it. Kasmambetov congratulated all attendees on Victory Day on behalf of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov. In addition, Bishkek hosted the annual Immortal Regiment procession, where more than…

The National Bank of Kyrgyzstan on Wednesday put into circulation banknotes of 200, 500 and 1,000 som denominations of the new fifth series of the national currency. The National Bank said that the new series of banknotes is dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Kyrgyzstan’s national currency and reflects its evolution from its introduction in 1993 to the present: from simple coupons containing a minimum set of security elements to banknotes with a high level of protection against counterfeiting. Portraits of representatives of art and culture on the front side and sights of the republic on the…

Eight people, including two children, were killed in a traffic accident in Kyrgyzstan on Saturday. The traffic accident occurred on the Bishkek-Naryn-Torugart highway near the town of Tokmok, said the press service of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate. It noted that two others were injured and sent to the traumatology department of Tokmok Hospital. Their condition is stable. The traffic accident occurred at about 3 p.m. local time (0900 GMT) when a right-hand vehicle drove into the oncoming lane and collided with a special vehicle manipulator, said the local press.

Women experience embroidery at a tourism festival in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, May 27, 2023. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 27, 2023 shows foods at a tourism festival in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua) This photo taken on May 27, 2023 shows staff members at a tourism festival in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua) A visitor tastes food at a stand of a tourism festival in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzstan, May 27, 2023. (Photo by Roman/Xinhua)

Kyrgyz have a long tradition of drinking “koumiss” (fermented mare’s milk). They also drink kvass (mildly alcoholic drink made from fermented rye bread), “shubat” (fermented camel’s milk), “bozo “(a frothy drink made from boiled and fermented millet or other grain) and “jarma “(fermented barely drink). Jarma is also known as Shoro, the name of a popular brand name. Korut — small balls of cheese made from sheep milk — are diluted with water to make a summer drink called Chalap (many Westerners consider it an acquired taste). In many homes — unless it is a strict Muslim one — eating…

Allow Her to Complete Term Without Interference. Kyrgyzstan’s parliament should not dismiss the country’s human rights Ombudswoman, Atyr Abdrakhmatova, before she completes her five-year term and should refrain from interfering with her work, Human Rights Watch said today. On April 19, 2023, parliament voted not to accept her annual report on the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan for 2022, with some members of parliament calling for a vote of no confidence, as well as proposing Abdrakhmatova’s early dismissal. The moves may have been in retaliation for her vocal criticism of the October 23, 2022 arrests of 25 civil activists, bloggers, and politicians who disagreed…