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handle is hein.crs/govebts0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Kyrgyz Republic Updated January 25, 2021 Overview The Kyrgyz Republic (commonly known as Kyrgyzstan) is a mountainous, landlocked country that borders China (see Figure 1) and maintains close ties with Russia. Formerly a constituent republic ofthe Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan became independent in 1991. As a parliamentary republic that holds contested elections, Kyrgyzstan has long been considered the most democratic country in Central Asia, with a vibrant civil society and a higher degree of press freedomthan found elsewhere in the region. Corruption is pervasive, however, and political institutions remain weak. In recent years, international observers have voiced concerns about democratic backsliding in Kyrgyzstan, particularly in light of the political upheaval that followed the annulmentofthe country's 2020parliamentary elections. Some Members of Congress have also expressed concerns about Kyrgyz government pressure on independent media outlets, including the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Because Kyrgyzstan is an impoverished country thatrelies heavily on foreign remittances, the ongoing Coronavirus Disease2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is causing significant economic strain. Political Background Government: After Kyrgyzstan experienced revolutions that ousted authoritarian-leaning presidents in 2005 and 2010, a new constitution adopted in 2010 imposed a one- termlimit on the presidency and converted the country to a semi-parliamentary systemin which the prime minister shares executivepower. Kyrgyzstan's unicameral parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh (Supreme Council), has 120 members; deputies are elected to five-year terms in a closed-list proportional electoral system. Recent Political Developments: Kyrgyzs tan plunged into political upheavalin the wake of disputed October 4, 2020, parliamentary elections that heavily favored pro- establishment parties. Opposition parties alleged widespread irregularities, including vote-buying and voter intimidation; these assertions were deemed credible by international election observers. After mas s protests broke out, Kyrgyzstan's Central Election Commission annulled the results on October 6, resulting in a power vacuumas the prime minister and other officials announced their resignations. SadyrJaparov, aformerMemberof Parliament known for his nationalist views who had been serving a lengthy prison sentence on kidnapping charges he maintains were politically motivated, quickly emerged as a leading contender for interimprime minister after he was freed by protestors. President SooronbaiJeenbekov announcedhis resignation on October 15, one day after Japarov was confirmed as prime minister. Althoughby law the presidency should have passed to the parliamentary speaker, he declined theoffice, leaving Japarov as both prime minister and acting president. While no date has been set for new parliamentary elections, a snap presidential vote and a controversial constitutional referendumon the country's form of government tookplace on January 10, 2021, raising concerns about the future of democracy and rule of law in Kyrgyzs tan. Japarov was elected president with 79% of the vote amid 40% turnout, lower turnout than in previous elections; 84% of voters supportedreverting to a presidential system. The specifics of the planned constitutionalreformremain unclear. Figure I. Ma of the KyrgvzRe ublic Source: Graphic created byCRS Human Rights: According to the U.S. State Department, major human rights concerns in Kyrgyzstaninclude torture and arbitrary detention, inadequatejudicial independence, severe restrictions on freedomof expres sion and freedomof the pres s, and corruption. In 2015, the State Department recognized imprisoned activist Azimjon Askarov with its Human Rights Defender Award, leading to significant friction in the U.S.-Kyrgy zbilateralrelationship. Askarov died in prison on July 24, 2020, possibly of COVID-19. In June 2020, Kyrgyzstan's parliament passed a law that would have enabled authorities to censor websites containing information they determined to be untruthful and require internet serviceproviders to turn user data over to government agencies on request. After the bill sparked protests and drew criticis mfrom international observeis, the president returned it to the legislature for revis ion. Draft bills that would impose financialreporting requirements on nongovernmental organizations and restrict workers' right to organize have also drawn international criticism. Terrorism: Although terrorist attacks within Kyrgyzstan are rare, roughly 800 Kyrgyznationals travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the Islamic State or other terrorist groups; more than 200 are estimated to have died over the course of the Syrian conflict. Governmentplans to repatriate Kyrgyz citizens, primarily women and children, were disrupted by unrest in Iraq and Turkey's October 2019 military incurs ion tps://crsreports.congress

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