Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan (BDK) is a non-profit organisation which works for the implementation of civic, political, cultural, and economic rights in Kyrgyzstan. It utilises monitoring and analysis tools for the evaluation of human rights. To achieve this aim of creating an effective monitoring system, BDK seeks to increase civil participation among youth and marginalised population through utilising existing frameworks laid out by the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The organisation is the successor the the NGO Citizens Against Corruption (CAC) which was founded in May 2000 after the creation of the first coalition 'For Democracy and Civil Society' in December 1998. Since the establishment of the CAC, employees of the organisation have made a great contribution to the development of BDK, and the human rights movement in Kyrgyzstan.
Main activities
- The establishment of a network of partners called 'People Changing the World', which brings together 51 NGOs and 100 activists to assist in the establishment of nine committees for transparency, and the Anti-Corruption Solidarity Network of the Fergana Valley with support from the Institute for Democracy in Eastern Europe.
- The establishment of the Human Rights Defenders Fund in Central Asia.
- Participation in the civil campaign for free and fair elections by the monitoring of parliamentary elections; during the 'I do not believe' campaign, 27 activists were arrested during a peaceful protest in Ala-Too Square.
- Participation in the International Festival of Documentary Films on Human Rights 'Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan' at the end of every year.
- Protection of the rights of citizens at peaceful rallies and meetings in the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, which entailed the abolition of the unconstitutional laws and regulations.
- Monitoring and helping to resolve conflicts during the revolution in April 2010 and Osh events in June 2010. The opening of the public reception in the city of Osh for the victims of the conflict in Osh and the region.
BDK's main peacebuilding project
- Protecting the rights of victims of ethnic violence at the national level. The organisation monitors and sends complaints to the UN Committee on Human Rights. More than 100 cases have been analysed so far under this project, which is funded by the OHCHR.
