Opposition - The Times Of Central Asia

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Georgia Opposition Caucasus Parliament Election Central Asia

New round of talks in Georgia

TBILISI (TCA) — On December 20, 2019 Georgian authorities made a new proposal to the opposition on the electoral reform, in order to stabilize the situation. But opposition has rejected this proposal as too rigid. "Georgia is going to fall into an international isolation if the government would not agree to the principle of fair elections," declared the statement by the so called United Opposition. The authorities have proposed the system that would have 100 members of the parliament elected on the proportional system and 50 members on the majoritarian system. So the system would be changed — with two thirds elected by proportionate system, while maintaining the mixed system with one third majoritarians. According to this proposal these constitutional changes would be made not just for the year of 2020, but for good. And this proposal is absolutely unacceptable for the opposition at this point. The initiative by the ruling coalition was voiced by Chairman of the Parliament, Archil Talakvadze. Continue reading

Opposition Rule of law Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan: Social Democratic Party members charged with attempt to seize power

BISHKEK (TCA) — Kyrgyzstan’s Interior Ministry on December 27 formally informed Deputy Chairperson of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan (SDPK) Kunduz Joldubayeva, Parliament members Asel Koduranova and Irina Karamushkina, and SDPK member Meerbek Miskenbayev that they are suspected of attempt of forceful seizure of power, 24.kg news agency reported. Continue reading

Opposition Georgia Caucasus Parliament Election Central Asia

Georgia’s precarious state

TBILISI (TCA) — According to former EU and US Ambassadors to Georgia Denis Corboy, William Courtney, and Kenneth Yalowitz "Georgia’s status as a post-Soviet democratic leader is under challenge. A flawed presidential election, use of force against protesters, and political manipulations by the secretive billionaire who heads the ruling Georgian Dream Party have strained public confidence and brought mounting public protests. Domestic calm may hinge on improving political dialogue and conducting free and fair parliamentary elections in fall, 2020. Continue reading

Opposition Human rights Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan: President suggests reforming rules on protests, political parties

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on December 20 suggested watering down the country’s legislation regulating public gatherings and political parties. Addressing the National Council for Social Trust advisory body, Tokayev said that the current provision requiring public protests and other rallies to be approved by officials beforehand should be dropped, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported. However, organizers should still give notice to the authorities. Tokayev also suggested to simplify the process for creating political parties in order to pave the way for the election of opposition figures in parliament, which is currently composed by members of the ruling Nur-Otan party and other pro-government politicians. The minimum number of people required to set up a new party would be decreased from 40,000 to 20,000, according to the president. He also said he wants to decriminalize hate speech and libel, which he said should be administrative offenses. If approved, the proposed changes would soften some key restrictions on political freedom in the country. Kazakhstan’s leadership is often criticized by human rights groups for not allowing real political opposition and for suppressing dissent and free media. Tokayev, 66, became president after his predecessor Nursultan Nazarbayev announced his resignation in March after ruling the country for nearly 30 years. Nazarbayev, 79, continues to control social, economic, and political spheres by leading Nur-Otan and the influential Security Council. On December 20, he traveled to St. Petersburg, Russia, to represent his country at a summit of the Eurasian Economic Union.

Kazakhstan Opposition Human rights

Kazakhstan: Activists mark Independence Day with unsanctioned protests

NUR-SULTAN (TCA) — Dozens of Kazakh opposition and civil rights activists have gathered in the center of the capital, Nur-Sultan, and the country’s biggest city, Almaty, to call for more rights and demand that all political prisoners be released, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports. Continue reading

Opposition Human rights Tajikistan

Tajikistan: Jailed lawyer’s prison term shortened as part of mass amnesty

DUSHANBE (TCA) — The 28-year prison sentence of jailed Tajik lawyer Buzurgmehr Yorov has been shortened as part of a recent mass amnesty in Tajikistan, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reported. Continue reading