Kyrgyzstan's parliament chamber (file photo) (RFE/RL)
December 22, 2006 -- Kyrgyzstan's parliament today delayed a decision on changing the country's new constitution, adopted just one month ago, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reported.
Lawmakers were expected to vote on a bill that would reverse constitutional changes limiting some of the powers of the president. Those changes were adopted by President Kurmanbek Bakiev under popular pressure after a wave of street protests.
The leader of the Kyrgyz nongovernmental organization Interbilim, Asiya Sasykbaeva in an interview with RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service criticized the move. "They shouldn't make changes [to the Kyrgyz Constitution]," she said. "That would restore the authoritarian regime. If it does happen, why did we even adopt a new constitution, why did we carry out the March 24 [2005] revolution?"
Earlier this week, Kyrgyzstan's government resigned in a bid to help accelerate reforms and implement the newly adopted constitution in full.
(with material from Reuters)
The leader of the Kyrgyz nongovernmental organization Interbilim, Asiya Sasykbaeva in an interview with RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service criticized the move. "They shouldn't make changes [to the Kyrgyz Constitution]," she said. "That would restore the authoritarian regime. If it does happen, why did we even adopt a new constitution, why did we carry out the March 24 [2005] revolution?"
Earlier this week, Kyrgyzstan's government resigned in a bid to help accelerate reforms and implement the newly adopted constitution in full.
(with material from Reuters)
Understanding Kyrgyzstan
Understanding Kyrgyzstan
A STABLE FOUNDATION? On November 9, RFE/RL's Washington office hosted a briefing featuring RFE/RL Kyrgyz Service Director Tyntchtykbek Tchoroev and RFE/RL analyst Daniel Kimmage.
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Listen to the complete discussion (about 80 minutes):
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