Beknazarov Released From Custody, as Calm Reported in Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyz authorities, hoping to defuse a political crisis, suspended the trial of legislator Azimbek Beknazarov and released him from custody on March 19. The move followed two days of clashes between Beknazarov supporters and security forces that left at least five dead and scores wounded. The violence has not only raised questions about government rights abuses, but also focused attention on US support for repressive regimes in Central Asia.

In releasing Beknazarov, who was arrested in January and charged with abuse of power, authorities said they hoped to avoid further violence. Beknazarov supporters have maintained that his jailing was politically motivated. [For background see the Eurasia Insight archive].

While anxious to bring an end to the anti-government protests, Kyrgyz authorities appear unwilling to assume any responsibility for the violence. In a televised address late on March 18, President Askar Akayev expressed "pain and sorrow" over developments, but went on to blame the clashes on government opponents. "We can already say today what caused the incident," said Akayev, going on to claim the clash was the product of a "plot" involving "prominent politicians."

The violence "proved the danger and unacceptability of political extremism and disrespect for the law," Akayev said.

Opposition leaders and human rights advocates say the clashes are the result of mounting popular frustration over systematic government abuse designed to squelch dissenting political opinion. "The situation is such that human rights advocates are often threatened with arrest for doing their job" said Natalia Ablova, director of the Kyrgyzstan Human Rights and Rule of Law Bureau in Bishkek.

Meanwhile, Beknazarov said the Kyrgyz government was responsible for the violence. He added that he would help supervise a parliamentary commission investigation into the causes of the clash, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

On March 19, US State Department spokesman Richard Boucher commended the Kyrgyz government's decision to release Beknazarov. The previous day US officials expressed concerned over developments in Kyrgyzstan, calling on Akayev's government to uphold democratic freedoms. "We see the respect for human rights as an essential part of the fight against terrorism," Boucher said.

Human rights advocates tend to scoff at such statements, saying that behind the rhetoric, the Bush Administration has de-emphasized human rights advocacy since the start of the campaign against terrorism. Washington's policy shift, in which strategic considerations have taken precedence over civil society-related issues, has encouraged Central Asian leaders, including Akayev, to intensify political repression, rights advocates say.

Local rights activists, including Topchubek Turgunaliev, assert that American strategic and economic support, provided in exchange for basing rights for US armed forces, emboldened Central Asian leaders to tighten control over their respective societies. They are particularly wary of a debt rescheduling deal agreed to by Kyrgyz officials and representatives of international financial institutions, acting with US approval. That deal, rights activists say, provides critical debt relief that could enable Akayev to avoid addressing critical reforms.

Under terms of a mid March Paris Club deal, instead of having to pay $101 million in debt that is due from 2002 to 2004, Kyrgyzstan will now be responsible for repaying only $5.6 million during that same period. The remainder will be paid off over a 20-year period. Kyrgyzstan has a $1.6 billion foreign debt, of which about $450 million is owed to Paris Club nations.

Government-controlled media outlets, including Vecherny Bishkek, hailed the deal as a "great achievement in the national interests of Kyrgyzstan." Government critics, however, say the debt rescheduling reduces the need of the Akayev administration to cooperate with opposition forces in addressing structural deficiencies in the Kyrgyz economy.

Following the September 11 terrorist attacks, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan expressed a desire for close strategic cooperation with the United States in the struggle against terrorism. Both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have confronted an insurgency waged by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in recent years. [For additional information see the Eurasia Insight archive].

Last December, the Kyrgyz parliament granted basing rights to an international force, including US, Canadian and French troops. On February 8, the parliament approved the additional deployment of troops from Australia, Denmark, Italy, Spain, and Turkey.