The accusation will hurt Kyrgyzstan’s international reputation as a place for Westerners to visit and for Western companies to do business. Direct foreign investment and tourism are important to Kyrgyzstan’s economy.

Mihra Rittmann, the HRW Kyrgyzstan director, said she had been refused entry at Manas airport. In June the Kyrgyz authorities had rescinded her work permit.

“Kyrgyzstan’s decision to ban me is highly disappointing on a personal as well as a professional level,” Ms Rittmann told the Bulletin from Berlin where HRW has its European headquarters.

“We are keen to clarify the grounds for the ban and to resolve the situation such that I can return to Bishkek and continue Human Rights Watch’s work in country.”

Kyrgyzstan has not commented.

According to Ms Rittmann, she saw a note at the airport which described her as a “persona non- grata”.

Over the past few years, Kyrgyzstan has shifted from a relatively pro-Western stance to a more pro-Russia outlook. As the US quit its air base outside Bishkek last year, Russia was increasing its involvement in Kyrgyzstan by boosting aid money, pulling the country into its Eurasian Economic Union trade bloc and strengthening its military commitments.

HRW in Kyrgyzstan, led by Ms Rittmann, has also been documenting what it has described as a decline in human rights and free speech, from attacks on ethnic Uzbeks and homosexuals to a new law, similar to a Russian law, that makes it harder for NGOs to accept funding from overseas.