Kyrgyzstan President Sadyr Japarov bans online porn in crackdown on internet freedoms

 

Kyrgyzstan has officially banned access to online pornography as part of new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov. The government says the move is aimed at protecting moral and ethical values in the largely Muslim country. Under the new law, internet providers are required to block access to pornographic websites based on decisions made by the Ministry of Culture. If companies or individuals fail to comply, they could face fines. The new restrictions are part of a broader push by Japarov to promote traditional Kyrgyz values. Since coming to power in 2020 through a wave of protests, he has steadily increased state control over various parts of society, including the media and civil society. Once seen as Central Asia’s most open democracy, Kyrgyzstan has been moving toward more authoritarian rule, according to critics and political analysts. Japarov’s focus on moral reforms reflects his broader populist and nationalist agenda. While supporters praise his stance on national identity and culture, many human rights advocates argue that such policies threaten personal freedoms and are used to silence dissent. The ban on pornography is viewed by critics as another step toward limiting free expression and increasing government oversight of the internet.

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In addition to banning pornographic content, President Japarov signed a decree that gives the state full control over Kyrgyzstan’s internet traffic. Starting from August 15, the state-owned telecom company ElCat will be the only official provider of international internet connections. All other internet providers in the country must transfer their contracts for international bandwidth to ElCat within two months. This setup will be tested for a one-year trial period. Critics see this move as a direct threat to digital freedom and market competition. Political analyst Emil Juraev warned that the policy marks a clear shift away from open-market principles and further strengthens state control at the expense of individual and business freedoms. This centralization of internet control comes as the country heads toward key elections. Parliamentary elections are scheduled for 2026, and a presidential vote is expected in 2027. Japarov’s allies currently hold a majority in the legislature, and he has expressed intentions to run for re-election. Observers fear that tighter internet rules could be used to suppress dissent and monitor opposition activity ahead of these elections. While the government claims the changes are necessary for security and cultural protection, opponents say they represent another step toward authoritarianism in a country that once stood out for its democratic reforms.

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