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NDTV
2 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
"To Protect Moral, Ethical Values": Kyrgyzstan Bans Online Porn
Bishkek: Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday. Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The legislation requires internet providers to block websites based on decisions by the ministry of culture. Violators will face fines. Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020. 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.
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First Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Kyrgyzstan bans online pornography to 'protect moral and ethical values'
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. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 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.


Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
‘Protect morality, ethics…': Why Kyrgyzstan banned online pornography
Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday. Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people(Unsplash/Representational) Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The legislation requires internet providers to block websites based on decisions by the ministry of culture. Violators will face fines. Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020. 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.


The Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Kyrgyzstan bans online porn in crackdown on internet freedoms
FILE PHOTO: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo BISHKEK (Reuters) -Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday. Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The legislation requires internet providers to block websites based on decisions by the ministry of culture. Violators will face fines. Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020. 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. (Reporting by Aigerim Turgunbaeva, writing by Felix Light, editing by Giles Elgood)

Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kyrgyzstan bans online porn in crackdown on internet freedoms
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov attends a meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, July 2, 2025. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Pool/File Photo BISHKEK - Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday. Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to "protect moral and ethical values" in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Asian country of 7 million people which gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The legislation requires internet providers to block websites based on decisions by the ministry of culture. Violators will face fines. Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020. 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, says road may stay closed for a few more days Singapore Terrorism threat in Singapore remains high, driven by events like Israeli-Palestinian conflict: ISD Singapore S'pore can and must meaningfully apply tech like AI in a way that creates jobs for locals: PM Wong Singapore 7, including child and firefighter, taken to hospital after fire breaks out in Toa Payoh flat Sport IOC president Kirsty Coventry a 'huge supporter' of Singapore Singapore ICA inspector obtained bribes in the form of sex acts from 6 foreign men in exchange for his help Singapore Doctor who forged certificates for aesthetic procedures gets 4 months' jail Singapore 12 motorists nabbed for providing illegal private-hire services: LTA 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. REUTERS