AUSTRALIA (ANS) -- The former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan became an independent state in 1991 under the leadership of Askar Akayev. Akayev introduced multi-party democracy and ensured that Kyrgyzstan had a level of openness unknown to its neighbours. However, after the US Transit Centre was established in December 2001 at Manas air base just outside the capital, Bishek, Akayev descended into massive corruption and nepotism. But corruption and openness don't mix so, to allow corruption to flourish, openness and liberty had to be repressed. Akayev also learnt he could play the 'Cold-War-is-not-over-yet' game, pitting Russia and the US against each other for financial gain. However, US funds did not benefit the Kyrgyz population. While the masses remained impoverished, the Akayev clan grew very rich and very powerful.

The March 2005 'Tulip Revolution' that ousted Akayev was not a US-sponsored 'colour revolution'. Rather it was a people's revolt that, despite its violence, won the support of the US which claimed it was part of the domino effect of democracy. The US quickly transferred its business to the new president, Kurmanbek Bakiev, who quickly became even more corrupt than the man he had deposed. Furthermore, President Bakiev's son, Maksim, reportedly earned himself as much as $8 million a month monopolising the sale of fuel to the base. Meanwhile, the masses remained impoverished with unemployment hovering around 18 percent. History was repeating itself and for all America's human rights rhetoric, it clearly saw the transit centre at Manas as a higher priority -- something not lost on the repressed and abused masses of Central Asia.

As corruption, repression and hardship escalated, the masses (especially in the more Muslim south) increasingly leaned towards the 'Islam-is-the-solution' message preached by the Islamic fundamentalist s of the Ferghana Valley in southern Kyrgyzstan. To counter their influence, the Bakiev regime brutally crushed dissent and further escalated repression, a strategy that only served to fuel the cycle. On 12 January 2009, a highly repressive Religion Law was enacted. Whilst its primary target was the Islamic revolutionary Hizb-ut-Tahrir, Protestant Christians (around 0.5 percent) have been caught in its anti-'new', anti-'foreign', anti-'small gatherings', anti-'religious literature', anti-'missionary' net. Because Protestant Christianity is 'divisive' -- winning converts from amongst Muslims and Russian Orthodox -- the regime exploited repression and persecution of Protestants as a convenient and easy way to appease aggrieved elements.

In late 2009, confident there was no organised opposition, Bakiev increased taxes and the cost of utilities. The first price hike came on 1 January 2010 and the second would hit six months later. Thus in the middle of winter, as temperatures dipped to minus 20 degrees Celsius, many Kyrgyz citiz ens found themselves forced to choose between spending 80 percent of their salary on utilities, or turning off the gas, electricity and hot water. On 6 April 2010, anger and despair spilled into the streets. The protests escalated rapidly until the security forces, under the control of President Bakiev's brother, Zhanybek Bakiev, opened fire on the protesters, killing more than 80 and wounding hundreds more. However, Bakiev was ultimately ousted and, after initially retreating south, he has since fled to Belarus.

The new inclusive interim administration led by Rosa Otunbayev will hold democratic elections and a referendum on an amended constitution later this year. This provides a wonderful opportunity for religious liberty to be restored. The churches have been active throughout the crisis caring for the injured, visiting hospitals, holding prayer vigils, assisting with efforts to clean up the streets and repairing damage to public facilities. Kyrgyz ethnic-religious nationalism is a serious threat. On 19 April, a violent m ob of around 1000 ethnic Kyrgyz -- all well organised outsiders -- rampaged through the village of Mayevka on the outskirts of Bishek. Five were killed as the mob burned homes and seized land belonging to ethnic Russians and Turks. Local Kyrgyz reportedly intervened to defend their besieged neighbours. Islamic forces will doubtless be viewing Kyrgyzstan's present vulnerability as their great opportunity.

For more details, links and updates watch:
Religious Liberty Monitoring
http://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com/ - http://elizabethkendal.blogspot.com  

WE PRAY THAT GOD IN HIS GRACE AND MERCY WILL:

• bless and multiply the witness of the churches -- just as Jesus blessed and multiplied the loaves and fishes (Matthew 14:13-21) -- so that the little they have to offer might impact many.
  
  
• intervene in the conversations and debates over the new constitution, so that religious liberty will be restored and human rights will be protected.
  
  
• intervene against the plots of those who would create havoc in Kyrgyzstan, seeking their own advancement rather than the good of the nation and all its constituent peoples.

'When he [Jesus] went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.' (Matthew 14:14 ESV)

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OPPORTUNITIES IN KYRGYZSTAN, THOUGH THREAT REMAINS

On 6 April, the Kyrgyz people rose up against the regime of the obscenely corrupt dictator, President Kurmanbek Bakiev. Bakiev's security forces (controlled by his brother) opened fire on the protesters, killing more than 80 and wounding hundreds. Despite this, the protesters prevailed and Bakiev was ousted. The interim administration is struggling to contain an eruption of violent Kyrgyz ethnic nationalism. This new inclusive administration led by Rosa Otunbayev will hold democratic elections and a referendum on an amended constitution later this year. This provides a wonderful opportunity for the restoration of religious liberty and other human rights. The local church has been active throughout the crisis, praying, caring for the injured and assisting with the clean-up. Please pray for Kyrgyzstan and for the Church in Kyrgyzstan.

Source: (ANS) http://www.assistnews.net/" eudora="autourl - www.assistnews.net