On 4 June at 12:30 CET, One World in Brussels, in cooperation with the European Parliament, International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), the Committee to Protect Journalists, Human Rights Watch and Front Line Defenders is hosting a screening of the film ‘Last Chance for Justice”.
Directed by Marina Shupac, the film follows the story of Khadicha Askarova, in her fight for the release of her husband, prominent Kyrgyz human rights defender Azimjan Askarov. Azimjan was serving a life sentence on trumped-up charges as he documented inter-ethnic violence in 2010 in Southern Kyrgyzstan. He tragically died in prison last July.
Almost a year after Askarov’s passing, the Kyrgyzstani authorities have failed to conduct an impartial investigation into the circumstances of his death and grant him legal rehabilitation. Civil society around the world continues the struggle for justice on his behalf.
Register here to watch the film: https://www.oneworld.cz/…/one-world-in-brussels…/7
The screening will be followed by a virtual discussion moderated by Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament, and with the following speakers:
- Marina Shupac, director of the film
- Tolekan Ismailova, director of the human rights movement Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan
- Eamon Gilmore, European Union Special Representative for Human Rights
- Liga Jermacane, Advisor to Ambassador Peter Burian, EU Special Representative for Central Asia
This event and the discussion that will follow serve as reminders that justice has not yet been delivered for Askarov and his family. As long as impunity prevails, the international community must continue its efforts in raising this case and ensuring that Azimjan Askarov is not forgotten.
The discussion will also be live-streamed via the One World in Brussels Facebook page.
This screening is part of the One World in Brussels 2021 festival. Check out the complete programme here.