The detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov

Written declaration No. 828 | Doc. 16313 | 23 December 2025

Signatories:

Mr Frank SCHWABE, Germany, SOC ; Mr Richard BAKER, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Petra BAYR, Austria, SOC ; Mr Jone BLIKRA, Norway, SOC ; Mr Constantinos EFSTATHIOU, Cyprus, SOC ; Mr Yunus EMRE, Türkiye, SOC ; Lord George FOULKES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Mr Gerardo GIOVAGNOLI, San Marino, SOC ; Lord Leslie GRIFFITHS, United Kingdom, SOC ; Lord Carwyn JONES, United Kingdom, SOC ; Ms Bisera KOSTADINOVSKA-STOJCHEVSKA, North Macedonia, SOC ; Ms Annick LAMBRECHT, Belgium, SOC ; Mr Didier MARIE, France, SOC ; Ms Luz MARTINEZ SEIJO, Spain, SOC ; Mr Fabian MOLINA, Switzerland, SOC ; Ms Giulia MURATORI, San Marino, SOC ; Ms Wanda NOWICKA, Poland, SOC ; Mr George PAPANDREOU, Greece, SOC ; Ms Valérie PILLER CARRARD, Switzerland, SOC ; Mr Ivan RAČAN, Croatia, SOC ; Mr Namık TAN, Türkiye, SOC

This written declaration does not reflect the position of the Assembly; only of those members that have signed it. It will not be considered further by the Assembly.

We, the undersigned, declare the following:

We express our deep concern regarding the detention of Temirlan Sultanbekov, leader of the Social Democrats of Kyrgyzstan and Vice-President of the Socialist International. His detention raises serious questions about due process, the protection of political freedoms and the treatment of political opponents in the run-up to the parliamentary elections on 30 November 2025.

Recent developments in Kyrgyzstan have heightened concerns about the shrinking political space, increasing pressure on opposition voices, and broader implications for democratic participation. These developments call into question Kyrgyzstan’s adherence to the principles of dialogue, pluralism, and political openness that form the basis of any democratic society.

We call on the Kyrgyz authorities to review the case of Temirlan Sultanbekov in accordance with international human rights standards and to ensure that the rule of law is respected at all stages of judicial and political procedures. In this context, we also demand that Temirlan Sultanbekov, as well as all other prisoners, have access to adequate healthcare.

We urge Kyrgyzstan to uphold its international commitments and send a clear signal in support of political freedoms, democratic standards and the rule of law.