This was the theme of a conference held on September 8, in Bishkek. The conference was
organized by democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan and representatives of NGO’s, mass media
and a number of political parties such as El, Kairan-El, Ata-Meken, Ar-Namys, ResPublica,
Erkindik, Asaba. At the conference, the participants shared their opinions, ideas about
the reforms that took place in Kyrgyzstan during the decade of its independence, and about
the current political, economic and social situation in the country. A resolution was also
adopted at the conference.

The representative of the Ar-Namys party Emil Aliev, in his opening speech of the
conference, said that the Kyrgyz President, Prime Minister and government officials had
also been invited to the conference but none of them came. The leader of the Ar-Namys
party Felix Kulov, who is currently in prison, is also aware of the conference, Aliev
added.

At the conference, the representatives of political parties and NGOs expressed their
opinions regarding the reforms and changes that took place in Kyrgyzstan during the last
ten years and discussed the current political, economic and social situation in the
country. The leader of the Communist Party of Kyrgyzstan Apsamat Masaliev said that in
Kyrgyzstan there is a presidential government and throughout the decade of independence,
it has not been justifying itself. Opinions and suggestions of political parties and
opposition have often been ignored by the government, Masaliev added. He also said that it
is critical for the democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan to be more active and act collectively
in order to make their activity more efficient. Another Kyrgyz opposition political
figure, leader of Erkindik party Topchubek Turgunaliev said that it is this current
government that steered Kyrgyzstan on the path of authoritarianism, starting from 1996.
Turgunaliev said that for the last ten years in Kyrgyzstan no measures have been taken
against corruption and the country today faces the need of a new state system. The first
condition for new changes to occur, according to Turgunaliev, is the resignation of
President Akaev and new fair and free presidential elections based on democratic
principles. The Chairman of the Human Rights Movement of Kyrgyzstan Tursunbek Akunov, in
his turn, said that it is always easy to criticize., but that criticism is not a way of
solving problems. Instead it is necessary to try to make a compromise with the government.
All of the conference participants emphasized the importance of collective efforts and
political forces acting together. Another participant at the conference, the
representative of the Ar-Namys party, delivered a message on reforms to be made to the
judicial system of Kyrgyzstan.

At the conference, a delegation of 10 people was appointed, which is to represent the
democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan at the OSCE session held on September 19 in Vienna. An
independent commission on human rights was also established and Turgunaliev was appointed
as its Chairman and Urmat Savetov as its Secretary.

A resolution was adopted at the conference, which states the following:: ‘No
reforms can take place in Kyrgyzstan until an independent judicial system and popular rule
are established. There will be no democratic changes in the country without proper
observation of human rights and freedom of speech. The last presidential and parliamentary
elections were found undemocratic not only by the Kyrgyz public but by a number of
international organizations as well. Free media outlets have been suppressed by the
authorities. At the end of the 20th century, Kyrgyzstan became known for
oppression and a number of lawsuits against opposition political figures. Corruption is
prospering at all levels of the state administration. By being involved in political games
the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Security Service are putting their
legitimacy and reputation under question. The judicial system is totally dependent on the
executive. For all these reasons, President Akaev should back away from authoritarian
rule, which is responsible for country’s weak economic and financial system, for
rampant corruption and for the current difficult social condition of Kyrgyz people.’
The conference participants – democratic forces of Kyrgyzstan – announced that
they will make a collective effort to reform the judicial and election systems of
Kyrgyzstan and work toward the proper observation of freedom of speech and human rights in
the country.

However, it is not yet clear when these long-waited goals will be accomplished and
whether they will be accomplished at all. It is not known yet in what way the Kyrgyz
government will respond and react; if these are goals that are not encouraged by the
authorities, serious obstacles may show up along the way.

Aisha Aslanbekova