Technically, 83 of 90 members of the Kyrgyz parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, were registered at the February 22 meeting at which the body passed in its second reading the controversial “foreign representatives” bill. Technically, 64 deputies voted for the bill and five voted against. 24.kg, however, counted no more than 50 deputies in the hall … Read more
As 2024 dawned in Kyrgyzstan, a new flag fluttered over Bishkek. To the untrained eye, it may look mostly the same but the rays on the sun are a little straighter – even if the priorities of the Kyrgyz government remain wavering. On November 29, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament passed the first of three required readings of … Read more
On November 29, Kyrgyzstan’s parliament passed the first reading of a bill that would redesign specific elements of the country’s flag. Article 3 of the law “About the state symbols of the Kyrgyz Republic” lays out the dimensions of the flag and its design components. The flag features a “round solar disk with forty evenly … Read more
Advertisement The controversial “foreign representatives” law passed its first reading in the Kyrgyz parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, on October 25 without debate. A bill must be passed in three parliamentary readings before being sent to the president for signature into law, a process that can move swiftly or stall indefinitely. The bill’s author, Nadira Narmatova, … Read more
Advertisement Discussions have resumed in Kyrgyzstan’s parliament over a proposed bill that would introduce additional reporting requirements for non-governmental organizations in the country, as well as add criminal liability for a failure to register as a “foreign representative.” The bill passed its first reading on October 3, amid dwindling support and sharp domestic and international … Read more
Advertisement Since 2020 Adakhan Madumarov and his party, Butun Kyrgyzstan, have faced what they deem a campaign of “unthinkably threats, psychological pressure and criminal prosecution.” “Today, the Butun Kyrgyzstan party is going through very difficult times,” the party said in a statement on September 4, two days after Madumarov was taken to a pre-trial detention … Read more
Advertisement Crying coup, once again, last week Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee for National Security (SCNS or UKMK) searched the homes of 10 members of the opposition Butun Kyrgyzstan party and reportedly temporarily detained some of them. It’s not clear whether any charges will be filed. (For subscribers to The Diplomat Magazine, note that I covered three … Read more