‘Protect morality, ethics…’: Why Kyrgyzstan banned online pornography

Kyrgyzstan has banned access to online pornography and imposed state control over internet traffic under new laws signed by President Sadyr Japarov, his office said on Tuesday.

Japarov's office said the ban on pornography is to " protect moral and ethical values " in mostly Muslim Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous Central Азиатската страна от 7 милиона души, придобила самостоятелност от Съветския съюз през 1991 година

Законодателството изисква интернет доставчиците да блокират уеб страници въз основа на решения на Министерството на културата. Violators will face fines.

Once Central Asia's most democratic country, Kyrgyzstan has seen increasing pressure on opposition groups and independent media since Japarov, a populist and nationalist, swept to power on a wave of protests in 2020.

He has made the protection of what he calls traditional Kyrgyz values a centrepiece of his agenda.

Also on Tuesday, Japarov signed a Указ, който постанова държавен монопол върху интернационалния интернет трафик.

Съгласно постановлението, държавната телекомуникационна компания ELCAT ще стане единствен снабдител на интернационален интернет трафик за годишен експериментален интервал, започвайки на 15 август.

Bishkek-based political analyst Emil Juraev told Reuters: “This decision only adds to the growing role of the state at the expense of market freedom in Kyrgyzstan. ”

The move comes ahead of a parliamentary election due in 2026, and a presidential poll due in 2027. Japarov, whose allies dominate the legislature, has indicated he will run again.