Kyrgyz Human Rights Defenders Planning Mass Protest

Aziza Abdyrasulova at a rights protest in 2007.

Human rights defenders in Kyrgyzstan say they are planning to hold a mass protest action this summer.

Aziza Abdyrasulova, chairwoman of the Kylym Shamy human rights center in Bishkek, told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that Kyrgyz human rights activists are concerned about restrictions of freedom of speech in the country.

The current Kyrgyz leadership is "turning the nation into a speechless and obedient society," she said.

It is necessary, Abdyrasulova said, to be more active to unite all the human rights organizations in Kyrgyzstan.