Kyrgyzstan bans online pornography to 'protect moral and ethical values'

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6 days ago

Kyrgyzstan has enacted sweeping internet restrictions, including a ban on pornography and a state monopoly over international web traffic, under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov read more
Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornographic material and imposed state supervision over internet traffic under new regulations approved by President Sadyr Japarov, his office announced on Tuesday.
Japarov's office stated that the prohibition on pornography is intended to 'protect moral and ethical values' in largely Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people that achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.
The legislation mandates internet providers to restrict websites based on determinations made by the Ministry of Culture. Violators will be fined.
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Kyrgyzstan, formerly Central Asia's most democratic country, has experienced an increase in pressure on opposition parties and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, came to office in 2020 on a wave of demonstrations.
He has made the protection of what he calls traditional Kyrgyz values a centrepiece of his agenda.
Also on Tuesday, Japarov signed a decree imposing a state monopoly on international internet traffic.
Under the decree, state-owned telecoms company ElCat will become Kyrgyzstan's sole provider of international internet traffic for a year-long trial period, starting on August 15.
All other Kyrgyz telecom operators will be required to transfer their contracts for international bandwidth to ElCat within two months.
Bishkek-based political analyst Emil Juraev told Reuters: 'This decision only adds to the growing role of the state at the expense of market freedom in Kyrgyzstan.'
The move comes ahead of a parliamentary election due in 2026, and a presidential poll due in 2027. Japarov, whose allies dominate the legislature, has indicated he will run again.