Kyrgyzstan: Young People Are Our Present
By: Aigerim Akylbekova
Back in 2017, over 50 per cent of the population took part in the presidential election. According to the study of the youth development institute, only 30 per cent of young citizens took part in the election. In 2020, it became obvious after the parliamentary election that the younger generation of Kyrgyzstan has become more active participant in the political affairs of the country.
Together with political analyst Aibek Tenizbaev, activist Beksultan Usenaliev and sociologist Reina Arturova we'll try to understand what was the impetus for the activation of the youth.
Together with political analyst Aibek Tenizbaev, activist Beksultan Usenaliev and sociologist Reina Arturova we'll try to understand what was the impetus for the activation of the youth.
«According to the majority, adult politicians have not proved their worth.»
Aibek Tenizbaev, political analyst
Aibek Tenizbaev, political analyst
- The young people started taking part in politics because it is requested by the public. The society wants to see new, young faces in politics. Such faces are associated with hope. According to the majority, adult politicians have not proved their worth – they failed to show good results. Therefore, there's a request for the participation of young people in politics.
There's a genial thought that «romantics create revolutions». Such romantics are young people who are the engine of mass rallies. Their slogans were clear – to annul voting results and to hold fair and transparent elections. However, unfortunately, we could not see the young generation in power because of political experience of the senior generation and the lack of a real leader who can unite the young people and cooperate with older politicians on equal terms.
Now, everything is changing so fast and chaotically in Kyrgyzstan. Young representatives are appointed to various posts and the following question emerges: what do we mean by «young people coming to power? » Most likely, the majority mean that many young people will come to Zhogorku Kenesh (parliament), young people will hold posts in the executive branch and major political posts. However, our reality will make it impossible.
This is possible only during elections. The age category can be amended either via presidential or parliamentary elections.
There's a genial thought that «romantics create revolutions». Such romantics are young people who are the engine of mass rallies. Their slogans were clear – to annul voting results and to hold fair and transparent elections. However, unfortunately, we could not see the young generation in power because of political experience of the senior generation and the lack of a real leader who can unite the young people and cooperate with older politicians on equal terms.
Now, everything is changing so fast and chaotically in Kyrgyzstan. Young representatives are appointed to various posts and the following question emerges: what do we mean by «young people coming to power? » Most likely, the majority mean that many young people will come to Zhogorku Kenesh (parliament), young people will hold posts in the executive branch and major political posts. However, our reality will make it impossible.
This is possible only during elections. The age category can be amended either via presidential or parliamentary elections.
Aibek Tenizbaev
political analyst
It's too early to claim that the young people have been «removed». If young people want to come to power, they must struggle to the end, instead of quitting halfway through, and hold proposed posts. No one in history has ever vacated their positions, especially, for young people.
The situation that is taking place now in Kyrgyzstan can be seen both from positive and negative sides. I mean recent events that took place after the announced results of the parliamentary election.
The positive thing is that the power shift took place under public pressure, due to objective reasons. In other words, citizens were finally heard in terms of democratic values.
The negative side is the lack of stability and lawful transfer of presidential powers. People with unsavoury reputation came to power using doubtful methods.
Being an optimistic citizen, I want to believe that something will change in a few years. But as a political analyst, I do not see the factors that could stimulate such changes. I am referring to the democratisation of the political system. It's also critical that the new authorities are reluctant to follow the Constitution. Now we see that Sadyr Zhaparov wants to hold the constitutional reform beyond the existing law. This move is no good for Kyrgyzstan.
Speaking about the forthcoming elections, we can expect the willingness of the current authorities to reinforce their position. They will try to have the majority in the parliament, as well as to have "their" person as president. Therefore, we face various attempts of the authorities to implement such ideas. Much depends on the lawful actions of current authorities. If they try to usurp power via election, the situation in future won't be quiet.
Of course, it's too early to say that active young people have paled into insignificance. Parliamentary elections will show whether the youth will unite based on one idea, or will become less significant until the next election.
The positive thing is that the power shift took place under public pressure, due to objective reasons. In other words, citizens were finally heard in terms of democratic values.
The negative side is the lack of stability and lawful transfer of presidential powers. People with unsavoury reputation came to power using doubtful methods.
Being an optimistic citizen, I want to believe that something will change in a few years. But as a political analyst, I do not see the factors that could stimulate such changes. I am referring to the democratisation of the political system. It's also critical that the new authorities are reluctant to follow the Constitution. Now we see that Sadyr Zhaparov wants to hold the constitutional reform beyond the existing law. This move is no good for Kyrgyzstan.
Speaking about the forthcoming elections, we can expect the willingness of the current authorities to reinforce their position. They will try to have the majority in the parliament, as well as to have "their" person as president. Therefore, we face various attempts of the authorities to implement such ideas. Much depends on the lawful actions of current authorities. If they try to usurp power via election, the situation in future won't be quiet.
Of course, it's too early to say that active young people have paled into insignificance. Parliamentary elections will show whether the youth will unite based on one idea, or will become less significant until the next election.
«It's obvious that more young people will take part in political processes. It is already so compared to other Central Asian states».
Reina Arturova, sociologist
Reina Arturova, sociologist
- What has influenced the political activity of the youth? I think, unlike previous mass protest actions, so-called «revolutions», «shift in power», this time the youth was the voice and took part in great numbers because it is 2020 now – the time of development of widespread social media and internet.
Therefore, the young people, compared to previous years, could see what happened on political and socioeconomic stage of Kyrgyzstan. They were dissatisfied with some processes, which is obvious as the young people are the citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
The rhetoric that often said that young people are the future of our country is absolutely inappropriate today. We must say that the young people are the present of this country.
Therefore, the young people, compared to previous years, could see what happened on political and socioeconomic stage of Kyrgyzstan. They were dissatisfied with some processes, which is obvious as the young people are the citizens of Kyrgyzstan.
The rhetoric that often said that young people are the future of our country is absolutely inappropriate today. We must say that the young people are the present of this country.
Reina Arturova
sociologist, doctoral student of University Magdeburg
Development of social media and access to information have become the keynote of understanding among young people that they are the present of this country and have a full right to make decisions, including political ones.
Have recent events shown that a revolution can be made without victims and looting? But it's a complicated question whether victims are numerous or few. Once there's only one victim – it is the victim of revolution.
On October 5, we, unfortunately, had many injured people, and one lethal outcome, which is in fact very essential to understand that it was not just an ordinary and peaceful revolution or a peaceful rally. It was not so. Force was used. In legal terms, the rally was not peaceful, but was accompanied by violence.
Do we develop as a society because we have no looting and victims? It's not easy to say the direction in which the society is growing. Despite the fact that Kyrgyzstan is now in deep socioeconomic and political crisis, we do not have extreme poverty, which, in fact, was the cause of large-scale looting back in 2005 according to the studies.
Back then, there was a huge difference between a city and a village. Many participants of the revolution came from the country and villages, which were in socioeconomic ruin since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The response was looting.
In 2020, the major part of Kyrgyzstan, according to sociological data, is below the poverty line, but their poverty is relative. People who took part in the 2020 revolution do not live in absolute poverty and will not risk their freedom and life for looting. Then, there were no provocative forces to call for looting, unlike in 2005 and 2010.
In terms of sociology, any protests, any rallies – is a long process, which does not end with a conclusion. Currently, it's unclear what these protests are for in Kyrgyzstan. Undoubtedly, Kyrgyzstan is a migrant country. This is a big advantage as the level of the freedom of speech is rather high not only within other Central Asian states, but also within the countries of former Soviet Union.
As to participation of young people in political processes, it became more active because of more availability of information, because of development of internet and social media. The majority of users of mobile communication and social media are people in the age of 20 to 42. Therefore, participation of young people in political processes will become wider compared to other Central Asian states.
Why is it wider? Because there's internet access, and, second, Kyrgyzstan holds good positions among other Central Asian states in freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly, so the young people will not be apolitical and will continue to get involved.
The only point is what young people we have? Urban – a more privileged group with access to education, internet, and some social benefits – the young people from villages, where they have other affairs, according to researches, to pasture, to help around the yard, etc. These principles force the youth into certain behavioural patterns.
On October 5, we, unfortunately, had many injured people, and one lethal outcome, which is in fact very essential to understand that it was not just an ordinary and peaceful revolution or a peaceful rally. It was not so. Force was used. In legal terms, the rally was not peaceful, but was accompanied by violence.
Do we develop as a society because we have no looting and victims? It's not easy to say the direction in which the society is growing. Despite the fact that Kyrgyzstan is now in deep socioeconomic and political crisis, we do not have extreme poverty, which, in fact, was the cause of large-scale looting back in 2005 according to the studies.
Back then, there was a huge difference between a city and a village. Many participants of the revolution came from the country and villages, which were in socioeconomic ruin since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The response was looting.
In 2020, the major part of Kyrgyzstan, according to sociological data, is below the poverty line, but their poverty is relative. People who took part in the 2020 revolution do not live in absolute poverty and will not risk their freedom and life for looting. Then, there were no provocative forces to call for looting, unlike in 2005 and 2010.
In terms of sociology, any protests, any rallies – is a long process, which does not end with a conclusion. Currently, it's unclear what these protests are for in Kyrgyzstan. Undoubtedly, Kyrgyzstan is a migrant country. This is a big advantage as the level of the freedom of speech is rather high not only within other Central Asian states, but also within the countries of former Soviet Union.
As to participation of young people in political processes, it became more active because of more availability of information, because of development of internet and social media. The majority of users of mobile communication and social media are people in the age of 20 to 42. Therefore, participation of young people in political processes will become wider compared to other Central Asian states.
Why is it wider? Because there's internet access, and, second, Kyrgyzstan holds good positions among other Central Asian states in freedom of speech and freedom of peaceful assembly, so the young people will not be apolitical and will continue to get involved.
The only point is what young people we have? Urban – a more privileged group with access to education, internet, and some social benefits – the young people from villages, where they have other affairs, according to researches, to pasture, to help around the yard, etc. These principles force the youth into certain behavioural patterns.
Currently, we see a huge difference between those who go on a leash of popular opinion leaders, and those who can critically estimate the situation and try to look objectively on various opinions.
In terms of young people, they are very different. In this context, Kyrgyzstan will have to carry out a big investigation to understand the composition of the young people now. Which young people are more? Those who support populism, or those who follow patriarchal principles, or those who are more apolitical because they are too young.
The young people will undoubtedly become active, but the only question is what kind of young people will be more active on this political stage?
The young people will undoubtedly become active, but the only question is what kind of young people will be more active on this political stage?
«Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you».
Beksultan Usenaliev, activist
Beksultan Usenaliev, activist
- Back in the pre-election time, it was clear that the election would be unfair. On the day of election silence, when there were many facts of vote buying, when the people said that some parties wanted to buy their votes, I think everyone understood what would happen on the election day. So it happened.
After the preliminary results announcement, it was clear that we should not just sit back. We needed to talk, to protest, to express our position.
On October 5, after the election, I was at the meeting as a participant and voiced my complaint. Thereafter, I was a member of the voluntary people's patrol (DND – editor's note) and protected the city. After the disorder and coup d'état happened, people did not disperse, they were aggressive and there was attempted looting. Then, the people from the DND protected the city. We didn't let the looting happen.
There were both supporters of the new power and supporters of the opposition among the protesters. They confronted each other and the crowd was very angry, crying out and throwing stones sometimes. It were provokers who committed such illegal actions. They were apparently prepared and wanted to destabilise the situation.
After the preliminary results announcement, it was clear that we should not just sit back. We needed to talk, to protest, to express our position.
On October 5, after the election, I was at the meeting as a participant and voiced my complaint. Thereafter, I was a member of the voluntary people's patrol (DND – editor's note) and protected the city. After the disorder and coup d'état happened, people did not disperse, they were aggressive and there was attempted looting. Then, the people from the DND protected the city. We didn't let the looting happen.
There were both supporters of the new power and supporters of the opposition among the protesters. They confronted each other and the crowd was very angry, crying out and throwing stones sometimes. It were provokers who committed such illegal actions. They were apparently prepared and wanted to destabilise the situation.
Beksultan Usenaliev
activist, participant of the voluntary people’s patrol
Our young people showed they could fight it. We, the children of the 2000s, have survived the 2005 and 2010 events. We know everything about disorders.
Therefore, such movements as DND were a necessity that proved to be efficient. I think, such situations can happen in future, but I wish they wouldn't. But our young people, the most reasonable part, won't let looting and disorders take place again.
Any volunteering means no ties to politics, denies any political affiliation, in no way influences political activity. It influences only civil activity – consciousness of the youth, understanding of the people that volunteering can have an impact on many aspects of life. However, it does not have any impact on political activity.
The same is true about DND – they are apolitical. They neither belong to any party, nor support any ideology. The key concept of DND is to maintain order in the city and that's it. DND affects the civic-mindedness of the youth, not political activity.
It seems to us that politically active youth lives in Bishkek only because there are internet and social media there. In fact, we don't see what happens in regions. In regions, the youth is also very active and tries to affect the life of their region. However, there are few such young people.
Any volunteering means no ties to politics, denies any political affiliation, in no way influences political activity. It influences only civil activity – consciousness of the youth, understanding of the people that volunteering can have an impact on many aspects of life. However, it does not have any impact on political activity.
The same is true about DND – they are apolitical. They neither belong to any party, nor support any ideology. The key concept of DND is to maintain order in the city and that's it. DND affects the civic-mindedness of the youth, not political activity.
It seems to us that politically active youth lives in Bishkek only because there are internet and social media there. In fact, we don't see what happens in regions. In regions, the youth is also very active and tries to affect the life of their region. However, there are few such young people.
The majority of young men leave abroad to earn a living because of desperate situation. Thus, they step back from political, public situation. They have to earn, feed their parents and family.
It is very sad that young men who just turn 18 have to leave the country, go abroad, before they assert themselves. I think if we lived in a country with stable economy, these men would not have to leave and would be actively involved into the country's politics.
But here's a little aspect – people are less politicised in developed countries. They do not feel interested as their life is stable. They study, work, but are not involved into politics as it is not interesting to them. Because they live a good life.
But our situation requires the young people and others to be aware of what happens in politics, they need to be part of the system, you know. Because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. This is the principle that we follow.
I think if our young people know that the future of our country is in our hands, if we do our job with high aspirations, we will be able to affect the development of our country. But if the young people repeat the mistakes of former politicians, there won't be any changes in 5 or 10 years.
Now, there's no single image of a Kyrgyzstani. Some say that a Kyrgyzstani is a beggar selling his vote. At the same time, we see active young people who do care about the country's fate. We've seen such people during the recent events, when the vigilante group was established; during the pandemic, when people treated and helped each other.
There's not a single image: we have both bad and good sides.
But here's a little aspect – people are less politicised in developed countries. They do not feel interested as their life is stable. They study, work, but are not involved into politics as it is not interesting to them. Because they live a good life.
But our situation requires the young people and others to be aware of what happens in politics, they need to be part of the system, you know. Because you do not take an interest in politics doesn't mean politics won't take an interest in you. This is the principle that we follow.
I think if our young people know that the future of our country is in our hands, if we do our job with high aspirations, we will be able to affect the development of our country. But if the young people repeat the mistakes of former politicians, there won't be any changes in 5 or 10 years.
Now, there's no single image of a Kyrgyzstani. Some say that a Kyrgyzstani is a beggar selling his vote. At the same time, we see active young people who do care about the country's fate. We've seen such people during the recent events, when the vigilante group was established; during the pandemic, when people treated and helped each other.
There's not a single image: we have both bad and good sides.
© 2020 CABAR.asia