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handle is hein.crs/govccyz0001 and id is 1 raw text is: FF.ri E.$~ & - , gnom ggmm , q rq\\ 's a X Updated November 1, 2017 Kyrgyz Republic \•,nn M- xKamxmmo\ Source: Graphic created by Hannah Fischer at CRS. Government: The Kyrgyz Republic (or Kyrgyzstan') gained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. That same year, the United States established diplomatic relations with the country. Askar Akayev was elected the first president of Kyrgystan, and he remained in power until 2005. Revolutions in 2005 and 2010 led to the overthrow of two presidents, including Akayev, and the adoption of a newly drafted constitution in 2010. The 2010 constitution established a hybrid parliamentary system that balances power between the president, prime minister, and legislature. Changes to the constitution in December 2016 transferred power from the president to the legislature and prime minister. Kyrgyzstan is seen by many as hobbled by corruption, regional disputes, and poor economic output. Recent Elections: Kyrgyzstan held presidential elections on October 15, 2017. The race, which featured more than 50 candidates, resulted in a first round victory for the incumbent party candidate Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Jeenbekov, who recently served as prime minister, was favored to win the race. However, many expected stronger challenges to Jeenbekov's candidacy, particularly from Respublika party leader Omurebek Babanov. President- elect Jeenbekov is to assume office on December 4, 2017. He is expected to closely follow his predecessor's agenda, which featured strong political and economic ties to Russia. Although experts point to irregularities in the lead up to the election that may have unfairly aided Jeenbekov's candidacy, the election process is being hailed by some as a milestone in Kyrgyzstani politics. Analysts view the result as a sign of political maturity, particularly given the country's recent history and the region's tradition of autocratic rule. History: Most of Kyrgyzstan was annexed by Russia in 1876. The Kyrgyz people staged a revolt against the Tsarist Empire in 1916 in which almost one-sixth of the native population was killed. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the territory of what is now Kyrgyzstan became part of the Soviet Union, first as the Kara-Kyrghyz Autonomous region (1924), then as the Kyrgyz Autonomous Republic (1926), and finally as the Kyrgyz Republic (1936). During the Soviet era, the Kyrgyz Republic produced agricultural goods and mineral and military products. Human Rights: According to the Department of State, the most significant human rights problems in Kyrgyzstan include a lack of due process, harassment of local activists, journalists, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and police-driven violence and discrimination against sexual and ethnic minority groups. In 2010, jailed Uzbek activist Azimjon Askarov was sentenced to life in prison; in 2015, he was given a Human Rights Defender Award by the Department of State a decision that created substantial friction in the U.S.-Kyrgyzstan relationship. The central government appears not to prosecute human rights violators consistently, contributing to the persistence of abuses by security forces and law enforcement. From 2013 to 2016, some Kyrgyz lawmakers pushed for the adoption of a Russian-style foreign agents law that would classify many NGOs as foreign agents. Both foreign and domestic critics noted that such a policy would inhibit the growth of Kyrgyzstan's civil society. The national parliament voted on the law in May 2016 and rejected it 65-46, a move praised by international rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch. Kyrgyz Republic at a Glance Land area and geography: Mountainous, with land area 199,951 km2 (slightly smaller than South Dakota) Population: 6.08 million Ethnicity: 73% Kyrgyz, 15% Uzbek, 6% Russian, 6% other Religion: 75% Sunni Muslim, 20% Russian Orthodox, 5% other GDP (2016): $6.55 billion, per capita GNI is $3,410 at PPP Major resources: Gold, rare earth metals, hydropower Political structure: Hybrid parliamentary system with president (elected to 6 year term, next election in 2023), prime minister, and unicameral legislature (elected to 5-year terms, next legislative elections in 2020) Political Leaders: President Sooronbai Jeenbekov. Prime Minister Sapar Isakov Data from U.N., World Bank (20 / 6) Drug Trafficking: According to reports, about a quarter of the world's heroin passes through Central Asia including Osh, a Kyrgyz city-on its way to Russia and Europe. Yet, corruption and limited institutional capacity have hampered Kyrgyz efforts to tackle the drug trade. The United States has provided counternarcotic assistance and equipment to the country's law enforcement forces. The United States also helped to develop the Kyrgyz State Service for Drug Control, an independent drug enforcement body. Terrorism: Violent extremism is a major concern in Kyrgyzstan. The country has, in large part, not worked with

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