In his speech on March 11 in parliament, President Sadyr Japarov explained how rallies should be conducted in Kyrgyzstan. He noted that the authorities are not against protests, but such events should take place in designated areas, such as the Maxim Gorky Square, with prior notification to the Bishkek city administration. Holding rallies in Ala-Too Square and near judicial institutions remains prohibited.
At the same time, the president expressed criticism regarding the content of some recent rallies. In his opinion, the demands of participants in the women's rights marches often do not align with local traditions and mentality. He pointed out that such ideas are supported by only a small percentage of the population, while the majority of citizens feel discontent. Japarov emphasized that slogans that contradict the customs of the people should not be promoted.
It is worth noting that on March 8, a rally in defense of women's rights took place in Bishkek, where more than a hundred people gathered in Gorky Square. Since activists were prohibited from holding a traditional march, they were only allowed to conduct a rally. The main theme of the event was the issues of combating domestic violence and victim-blaming. Participants and human rights defenders noted that the responsibility for violence always lies with the perpetrator and urged women not to be afraid to openly assert their rights and defend themselves.
