OSCE supports Eighth International Documentary Film Festival on Human Rights in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, 8 October 2014 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is supporting local human rights organization Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan in hosting the four-day Eighth International Documentary Film Festival on Human Rights, which launched on Tuesday in Bishkek.

This year's festival is taking place under the slogan, “The right to development” and aims at raising public awareness on human rights in Kyrgyzstan’s society, especially among young people. It is the only international documentary film festival on human rights organized in Central Asia.

“This festival is a testament to the necessity and importance of raising awareness of human rights issues, stimulating public debate, adopting respective decisions and advocating for democracy, human and fundamental rights,” said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “I am confident that everyone - whether a participant or a guest - will be a winner and enjoy the festival. The OSCE Centre in Bishkek is ready to continue to support Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to implement its international human right obligations.”

The festival will conclude with an awards ceremony on 11 October with winning documentaries recognized as Best International Film, Best National Film and Best Youth Film.

As well as drawing local audiences, the festival is also bringing participants from Afghanistan, Austria, France, Russia, Turkey and the United States.

Panel debates followed each film screening at the Manas Cinema Hall on 7 October.

Prior the festival, the Bir Duino team organized a roadshow around the country where the films were screened to citizens and followed by discussions.

As well as the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the film festival is supported by the Kyrgyz Parliament, the British Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, the regional office for Central Asia of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, among others.