2013 Kyrgyz protests

Last updated
2013 Kyrgyz Protests
Date30 May – June 2013
Location
Caused byNationalization of Kumtor Gold Mine, lack of social benefits, pollution
MethodsDemonstrations, occupations, rioting, civil disobedience
Casualties
Death(s)1
Injuries50-55

The 2013 Kyrgyz protests started on May 30, 2013 when as many as 3,000 people stormed the Kumtor Gold Mine demanding it be nationalized or provide more social benefits. [1] The mine, owned by Canada's Centerra Gold, contributes almost 12% of Kyrgyzstan's national GDP. The protests blocked a road to the mine and cut off electricity. Riot police responded when protesters tried to storm the mine's office. 50-55 people were injured in resulting clashes and 80-92 were arrested. [2] Supporters of the protest also besieged the local governor's office in Jalal-Abad later in the evening. In response the President of Kyrgyzstan, Almazbek Atambayev, declared a state of emergency until June 10. The Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, Zhantoro Satybaldiyev, stated that the government would get more money from the mine, either through taxes or otherwise. Centerra Gold responded by calling the protests and occupation of the mine illegal. The road to the mine was unblocked on June 1, though the protests in Jalal-Abad continued, demanding the release of protesters from previous unrest. [3] [4] Protests have continued through the month of June, resulting in the death of at least one person. [5]

Other factors that exacerbated the protests included a nitric acid spill into a nearby river in 1998, which the locals had been fighting for compensation in court. [6]

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The history of the Kyrgyz people and the land now called Kyrgyzstan goes back more than 3,000 years. Although geographically isolated by its mountainous location, it had an important role as part of the historical Silk Road trade route. Turkic nomads, who trace their ancestry to many Turkic states such as the First and Second Turkic Khaganates, have inhabited the country throughout its history. In the 13th century, Kyrgyzstan was conquered by the Mongols; subsequently it regained independence but was invaded by Kalmyks, Manchus, and Uzbeks. In 1876, it became part of the Russian Empire, remaining in the USSR as the Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic after the Russian Revolution. Following Mikhael Gorbachev's democratic reforms in the USSR, in 1990 pro-independence candidate Askar Akayev was elected president of the SSR. On 31 August 1991, Kyrgyzstan declared independence from Moscow, and a democratic government was subsequently established.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Askar Akayev</span> President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 to 2005

Askar Akayevich Akayev is a Kyrgyz former politician who served as President of Kyrgyzstan from 1990 until being overthrown in the March 2005 Tulip Revolution.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Centerra Gold</span> Canadian mining company

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Kyrgyz constitutional referendum</span> Referendum that made Kyrgyzstan a parliamentary republic

A constitutional referendum was held in Kyrgyzstan on 27 June 2010 to reduce presidential powers and strengthen democracy in the wake of the riots earlier in the year. Parliamentary elections followed on 10 October 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Kyrgyz Revolution</span> Revolution that overthrew President Kurmanbek Bakiyev

The 2010 Kyrgyz Revolution, also known as the Second Kyrgyz Revolution, the Melon Revolution, the April Events or officially as the People's April Revolution, began in April 2010 with the ousting of Kyrgyz president Kurmanbek Bakiyev in the capital Bishkek. It was followed by increased ethnic tension involving Kyrgyz people and Uzbeks in the south of the country, which escalated in June 2010. The violence ultimately led to the consolidation of a new parliamentary system in Kyrgyzstan.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zhantoro Satybaldiyev</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sadyr Japarov</span> Kyrgyz politician (born 1968)

Sadyr Nurgojo uulu Japarov is a Kyrgyz politician who has been serving as the president of Kyrgyzstan since 28 January 2021. He previously held the post of acting prime minister of Kyrgyzstan in the 2020 interim government, following the resignation of President Sooronbay Jeenbekov. Japarov also became acting president of Kyrgyzstan after Jeenbekov's resignation, but resigned himself on 14 November 2020 to run for the 2021 presidential election, in which he was elected to succeed the acting president, Talant Mamytov.

This is a list of individuals and events related to Kyrgyzstan in 2021.

This is a list of individuals and events related to Kyrgyzstan in 2022.

References

  1. "Kyrgyzstan declares state of emergency".
  2. "Thousands Storm Canadian Mine". 31 May 2013.
  3. "Kumtor Mine Blockade Lifted, But Unrest Continues". Archived from the original on 2013-09-27.
  4. "Kyrgyzstan protesters unblock Canadian gold mine | CBC News".
  5. "More protests at Kyrgyz gold mine". UPI.
  6. "Protests at Kyrgyzstan gold mine worry family of Canadian worker | CBC News".]