In its new report, the international human rights organization Freedom House highlighted the state of internet freedom in various countries.
According to the presented data, the level of internet freedom worldwide has been declining for 15 years, and Central Asian countries remain categorized as "partly free" and "not free."
Kyrgyzstan stands out in this context, scoring 47 points out of 100 and landing on the list of states with "partly free" internet.
However, in another study titled Freedom in the World 2025, the republic was rated only 26 points out of 100, qualifying it as "not free" in terms of political rights and civil liberties. This indicates that the assessment of internet freedom in the country is higher than the state of democratic institutions.
The report emphasizes that difficulties with access to a free online environment continue in Kyrgyzstan. Experts note instances of website and social media blocking, pressure on independent media and digital platforms, as well as increasing control from government authorities. The risks of criminal prosecution for journalists and activists are also a cause for concern. Furthermore, after the constitutional changes, there has been a growing concentration of power in the hands of the executive branch, which negatively affects the level of democracy.
Kazakhstan, for its part, received 37 points and was classified as a country with an unfree online environment. Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also in the group with limited access to free internet.
Freedom House reminds that access to information and user protection are crucial aspects for the development of democratic processes. The organization urges Kyrgyzstan to reduce the number of blockages, ensure the independence of the judiciary in cases related to freedom of speech, revise internet laws, and support independent media.
The Freedom House report covers 70 countries and serves as one of the main international indicators of the state of digital rights.
