Tell me … what’s going on?

May 3rd, 2014 Sections: Life In Kyrgyzstan, News, Weekly_Postcards
WPFD

WPFD

Ever since 1993, May 3rd has been earmarked by the United Nations as World Press Freedom Day.

The General Assembly of the United Assembly declared World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of the freedom of the press and to remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression as enshrined under Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The date, May 3rd, was chosen to mark the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in 1991.

The aim of the day is to serve as:

  • a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered;
  • a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom;
  • a day for members of the media to reflect about the issues of press freedom and professional ethics;
  • a day of support for those who are targets for the restraint, or abolition, of press freedom … and
  • a day of remembrance for those journalists who lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

As is usual for UN commemorative days, there’s a theme selected for activities in various countries to focus on.  As it happens, this year there are three inter-related themes:

  • the media’s importance in development;
  • safety of journalists and the rule of law; and
  • the sustainability and integrity of journalism.

Here in Kyrgyzstan there are are going to be a number of events to commemorate the day including a “flashmob” organised against “factoids” – rumours, speculations and lies – during which paper ducks will be set alight, (in Russian term a piece of journalism or anything else that seeks to sensationalize simply in order to sell copy is called a Natural Duck).   

I always thought that one of the features of a flashmob was that it was supposed to appear spontaneous – a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, then quickly disperse.  They are usually organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails … the idea of announcing such an event in a press release in advance seems to defeat the whole object and impact.

As it happens – this advance publicity of flashmobs seems to be a feature here in Kyrgyzstan … another one has been announced for Monday – which happens to be Constitution Day, celebrating Independent Kyrgyzstan adopting a new constitution – this one against Kyrgyzstan joining the Customs Union.  I presume the irony of that is not lost on anyone.

I don’t know for certain, but I suspect that the theme is probably a response to the recent move to criminalize false reporting in the press alleging serious crimes based on rumours and false information.

According to Freedom House, the Press in Kyrgyzstan is “Not Free” – taking 66th place in their ranking …  although the internet in the country is “Partly Free”; according to Reporters Without Borders the media in Kyrgyzstan face a “Difficult situation”, although according to the OSCE, the country is “making progress on media freedom” and according to Human Rights Watch, although there are signs of improvement the authorities have “made several attempts to limit freedom of expression”.

In the latest report from Reporters Without Borders … Kyrgyzstan was ranked 97th (out of 180 countries) in terms of Press Freedom … and was ranked the 5th Asian country after South Korea, Japan, Mongolia and Bhutan.

There are quite an impressive number of media outlets … over 200, including: 159 newspapers, 25 TV channels, 26 radio stations as well 22 on-line news agencies.  Having said that, some of them have faced problems – especially those serving ethnic minorities.  On the other hand, during the last year, the 14-month ban on the Ferghana news agency was lifted.

Television is probably the most popular source of information – a mix of state and privately operated channels matched by a similar number of radio stations.  Likewise there are a wide variety of newspapers – many of them with a small circulation.  According to local research, there’s a growing number of internet users who turn to the web and social media for up to date information.

There has been some criticism of the quality of reporting in the media … one politician saying that many reports are not even up to the standard of a student essay.  Some newspapers simply take reports off the internet and reprint them … although I suppose we should recognize that most media outlets around the world often simply take the content of a Press Release and reprint that, perhaps with a specially written introductory and concluding paragraph.

There are several initiatives to try and help journalists develop their skills – and journalism is one of the most popular courses in Higher Educational Institutions.

Although most journalists don’t face threats and dangers … some do.  As elsewhere in the world, there is always a risk of a case of libel being brought against them – and in the past that used to be a criminal offence.

One of the most prominent cases in recent years was that of Gennady Pavlyuk, who was thrown from a sixth floor window in Almaty in 2009 … although the Kazakh authorities arrested and convicted three people for the murder and ruled out any political motivation for the murder, speculation linking it with the Bakiev regime was rife and a few weeks ago two security agents (“KGB” agents) were arrested on suspicion of complicity in the crime.

The Press has, at times, come under considerable scrutiny … as have the non governmental organizations, (NGOs) – of which we have something like 16000 – although only something like 500 to 600 are active – almost half of them established following the events of 2010.  Most of them seem to be based in Bishkek, but a number work out in the regions.  Some of them seem to have started a Public Relations campaign to explain what they do in order to help ordinary people and make a difference to everyday life … giving legal assistance or helping the elderly.

It was noted that, in the past, most NGOs were “liberal” and funded from the West, but that the situation has changed and there’s some evidence that a number of the active NGOs have been busy participating in, and even organizing protest actions.

One of the “liberal” issues that has attracted attention in recent weeks is the treatment and approach to LGBT, (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender), issues.  One news agency in particular was singled out by protesters for its liberal stance on the question.  The furore erupted following a press conference organized by Human Rights Watch to announce a report on the treatment of gay men at the hands of the police … and the response of some deputies was to propose a Bill outlawing “gay propaganda”.  The Bill was published and put out for consultation … but the proposers have now withdrawn it … but I think the reason is more technical than anything else and that it will probably be reintroduced again after some time.  

Another thorny issue is sex education … the parliamentarians were busy discussing a draft law “On reproductive rights and guarantees of their implementation” which included articles guaranteeing minors the right to information on sexual and reproductive health and training for “family life” … which led to some interesting exchanges between deputies – some criticizing the measures in the Bill and others supporting them. 

Even in the West, there is a considerable debate about the role of the different players, (school and parents), in sex education.  Here, the family is considered to play an important role in other aspects of the educational process … as a number of them found out this week when they were held responsible for the actions of their offspring who were involved in racketeering scams.

Another controversial issue that keeps raising its head is the status of the state language.  Officials are expected to have a working knowledge of Kyrgyz, and it has been proposed that the President should hold all his talks only in Kyrgyz.  President Atambaev has criticized this approach saying that the talks are meant to resolve problems, not showcase proficiency in Kyrgyz.  He went on to ask if he should be forced to hold discussions with President Putin through an interpreter … when he can speak fluently in Russian … or with President Gul when he can speak Turkish … and as he also knows German and, (although he is not fluent), English.

The Dordoi market has been in the news this week … first of all there was the news that it had been designated by Forbes magazine, and the World Bank, as one of the biggest markets in the world.     At a Press conference called to announce this, figures were quoted to emphasize the importance of the market to the Kyrgyz economy … apart from providing employment opportunities for bringing almost 5 billion soms to the state budget, (4 billion soms from customs duties and taxes on imports and 700 million soms paid in taxes by the stallholders), which was compared to Kumtor which brought in some 6 billion soms.  

It was a little surprising, therefore, to see another article that reported that the number of entrepreneurs at the market was falling.  This was blamed on tighter border controls in neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan, who, whilst technically permitting the import of goods “made in Kyrgyzstan”,  had now introduced a ban on purchasing “re-exports”.

I say “technically” because the textiles industry report that they are having trouble exporting to the countries of the Customs Union.  They are keen for us to join the Customs Union so that they can get back to exporting. 

As it happens, the Prime Minister and several other members of the government have been to Moscow to discuss the “roadmap” for accession … and it looks as if progress is being made on ironing out the areas of concern.  He also raised other questions – especially about the treatment of Kyrgyz migrant workers.

I am not sure if he has been discussing the various investments that Russia is making into the Kyrgyz economy.  The deal where a Russian company would invest large sums into the development of Manas Airport in return for a packet of shares is on/off … after the Russians decided to have second thoughts, it looked as if the deal was off … but, apparently, discussions are continuing and some arrangement may yet be reached.

It’s not just the Russians who are interested in investing into the country’s airports – there are eight proposals from China, Turkey and international donor agencies on the cards, although not all of them are likely to be implemented.

An interesting point to emerge during the week is that Manas airport, apparently, has the largest “duty free” zone in Central Asia at 1500 square meters.  This is all part of the plan to develop a civilian transport hub based on the airport now that the Transit Center is about to disappear.  The base used to provide two thirds of the airport’s income but now the airport is having to diversify in order to replace the loss of income.

Another transport story in the headlines was the start of another section of construction of the alternative North-South road, between Balykchy in Issyk Kul with Djalal Abad in the South.  At the ceremony to mark the start of work, President Atambaev let slip that it’s hoped to add a rail link to the route as well as the new road.

 

There’s an amnesty under way with several prisoners being being released early.  Someone who is not going to be able to take advantage of it, however, is Maxim Bakiev, (son of the deposed former President), who is currently in “self imposed exile” in the United Kingdom where he’s applied for political asylum.  As a result, several members of the Kyrgyz government have taken a highly critical stance of the British efforts to support the anti corruption drive here in Kyrgyztsan … and the “double standard” they see in it.  Now the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has joined the fray … this time spurred on by the British sanctions being imposed on certain members of the Russian and former Ukranian administrations … with promises to help track down funds smuggled out of the country in order to repatriate the money.  A spokesman of the Foreign Ministry is reported to have said that they trust a similar approach will be applied to the funds removed from Kyrgyzstan and steps be taken to recover and repatriate that money.

Moratoriums (or should that be moratoria) have also been in the news … first of all the local population, (or at least some of the residents) in the Talas oblast have asked for a moratorium on the development of gold deposits.  They have been asking for this for some time now … as part of their disputes with the various gold mines that have tried to set up business.  There’s a difference this time around, however, in that they used to want a moratorium for 50 years but they are now demanding one for 150 years.

Then the government has asked local authorities to implement a moratorium on renaming streets and settlements.  The process of renaming is in the purview of the State Registration service, so it should be fairly easy to implement if they are serious about it.  It should at least save some money … whereas a moratorium on the development of gold mines will cost the government – at least in terms of lost revenues.

The State Registration Service are also in charge of issuing passports and they have also been in the news in this regard as well … escially as they are in the process of getting ready to introduce biometric passports with a single unified registry.  They are planning to start the process of data collection at the end of August … with pensioners and sixteen year olds will be issued free of charge … but everyone else will have to pay.

 

The big issues for most people are far more mundane … how to cope with the daily grind, prices and so forth.  The cost of potatoes, for example, has been the subject of several conversations during the past week … currently as much as 50 som a kilo here in Bishkek, (that’s just under a dollar), and represents an increase of between 150-250% over what people were paying this time last year.  The range in the increase varies between the different regions of the country … whereas the smallest increase was recorded in the city of Kara Balta to the West of Bishkek … the biggest price increase was, oddly enough, seen in Kochkor.  I say “oddly enough” because Kochkor is a region known for growing potatoes.  

The price hikes are being blamed on exports … first of all to neighbouring countries and from there onto Russia.

It’s not just potatoes, either.  We’ve seen similar increases in the price of onions and several other vegetables, and serious concern has been expressed over the future of the sugar industry.

Another issue which keeps coming back into the news is that of electricity tariffs; once again there is discussion about the need to raise them.  There’s a proposal for a new system where those using more than 300kWh or using electricity for heating, will be charged more – especially during the heating system.  In itself, there is some logic behind the move, but I can’t help remembering that this was one of the issues which led to the 2010 revolution.  It will be interesting to see what people’s reaction to this new system might be.

Mind you, there is some good news on the economic front … the exchange rate has shown some signs of stabilizing with both the US Dollar and the Euro have seen some fall back in the last week.      

One piece of good news was that the Ministry of Finance seem to be supporting a review of tax legislation, and supporting the idea of eliminating the duplicate taxes – VAT and Sales tax – so that firms pay either VAT or Sales Tax but not both as they have to at the moment.   

 

One of the standard items of news that shouldn’t be controversial is always the weather forecast.  In recent times, however, the weather has featured in the news post factum as well the more usual pronosis.  Although the rigours of a harsh Winter have now receded into memory – or, at least, we hope so – and warmer days have emerged with people walking around town dressed for Spring – T-shirts and lightweight slacks … no heavy jackets of coats … it’s not been a smooth transition between the seasons.

This week, for example, has seen mudslides and rockfalls brought about as a result of heavy rains – especially in the Djalal Abad oblast.  To be frank, the photographs of the rockfall didn’t look too dramatic … but I can imagine that it must have been frightening for anyone in the vicinity when it happened, and it caused considerable delays on the main arterial highways as work clearing the road got underway.

The mudslides, on the other hand, have caused considerable disruption to a number of remote communities – in one case washing away the abutments of a bridge virtually cutting a village off from the outside world.    There was one interesting moment in the report of the incident … the head of the local administration paid a visit to inspect the damage … and his office announced that 100 liters of fuel and lubricants has been allocated to repair the bridge.  Although I can see that the repair work will require transport, hence the fuel and lubricants, but I am not quite sure what good they will be without the manpower and construction materials necessary to repair and shore up the bridge.

 

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Postcard from Bishkek: the weekly postcard that I send out as an email also gets posted on the website ianbek.kg each week – and there are other postcards which don’t get sent out.  This week, for example, there has been the following postcards:

It is possible to follow me on Facebook, (where we also have specific pages for Celestial Mountains, the Silk Road Lodge, The Celestial Mountains Guesthouse in Naryn  and also links.kg, Kyrgyz Diary and Kyrgyzstan Visitki … and not forgetting ianbek), and also on twitter, (@Bishkekpostcard and @celestialM

 

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