Žaparov praises Kyrgyz 'mature society'

Comemorating the "tulip revolution" of 2005, the  Kyrgyz president says population  is not indifferent to the arbitrariness of the powerful. Critics, however, accuse him of wanting to centralise power at the expense of parliament.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - "The Kyrgyz people are an ancient people, who have learned to appreciate freedom since the days when hair began to whiten on their heads, and have fought heroically without sparing themselves for their independence, never backing down from the injustice of power".

In his message of 24 March, 17 years after the 'Tulip Revolution', Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Žaparov praised his people: 'They have shown the whole world that they have long been able to build a mature society, which does not allow violations of people's rights, which truly cares about freedom of speech and the honour of the nation'.

The demonstration of these virtues is said to be the events of March 2005, when Kyrgyz society overthrew the first post-Soviet head of state, Askar Akaev. According to Žaparov, at that time Kyrgyz people did not remain indifferent to the arbitrariness of the powerful and the 'family clan' that oppressed them.

The president admits that the goal is still to be achieved, and 'we have the responsibility to confirm the hopes of our people who are looking to a future of democratic development... I am deeply convinced that based on the indestructible unity and unity of the Kyrgyz people, after going through so many difficulties, we will come out of the complicated geopolitical situation and the current economic crisis this time as well'.

In conclusion, Žaparov wished the country "a clear sky, and all Kyrgyz people unity in concord", recalling that already at the time of the Tulip Revolution Kyrgyzstan was called the "island of democracy" in Central Asia and the entire post-Soviet space. It was the first nation in the region to replace the ruling class by the will of the people, when Aydar Akaev - son of the first president - won the elections through fraud, and his sister Bermet Akaeva won the seat of the parliament through the same fraudulent procedures.

The Akaev family, in office since 1991, had also amassed enormous fortunes, fuelling the hostility of the population, which from the beginning of March 2005 began to take to the streets under the leadership of opposition politicians, until the oceanic demonstration on 24 March forced the Akaevs to flee to Moscow. Subsequent changes of power also took place amidst great tensions and street uprisings, with presidents fleeing to Moscow, Minsk and other destinations.

The last 'Kyrgyz revolution' took place in 2020, again due to rigged elections, which led to new ballots and the election of Žaparov. Some believe that the current president, a proponent of serious changes to the Constitution, is trying to centralise all power in his own hands, emptying the prerogatives of parliament. The events in Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other former Soviet countries raise the question of democracy in Central Asia, with the permanent threat of Russia behind its back, and often in its backyard.

• kyrgyzstan
• tulip revolution
• democracy
• corruption
• dictatorship