Edil Baisalov
Edil Baisalov (Template:Lang-ru) is Chief of Staff to the head of the interim government in Kyrgyzstan, Roza Otunbayeva, following the 2010 Kyrgyzstani uprising on April 7, 2010.[citation needed] He is a Kyrgyz political activist and former president of the Coalition for Civil Society and Democracy, a leading civic advocacy group.[1] He was born in Bishkek in 1977 and attended the American University of Central Asia and the Kyrgyz State National University. He studied in Turkey (1992–1993) and the United States (1994–1995) as an exchange student.
In February 2003, the Kyrgyz government forcibly hospitalized Baisalov, preventing him from attending an NGO meeting.[2]
Baisalov played a leading role in the Tulip Revolution of March 24, 2005.[3]
Baisalov has campaigned against crime and corruption. On April 12, 2006 he survived an attempted assassination for his vocal criticism of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's failure to battle organized crime.[4][5][6]
In November 2006, Baisalov was involved in large anti-government demonstrations in Bishkek, acting as a spokesman for protesters.[7] Shortly afterwards, Baisalov was again attacked in the Osh airport.
In August 2007 Baisalov joined the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, chaired by prime-minister Almazbek Atambaev.[8] He played an important role in consolidating democratic opposition to president Kurmanbek Bakiev.[9]
On December 4, 2007 Edil Baisalov was removed by the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan from the candidate list of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan and barred from participating in the early parliamentary elections. Many activists and lawyers claimed this decision to be politically motivated and illegal. Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan alleged that Baisalov had published the ballot on his blog and the General Prosecutor charged him with attempt to undermine integrity of elections.
Baisalov claimed that he was a victim of political vendetta and left Kyrgyzstan on December 8, 2007 for Kazakhstan and later reappeared in Sweden.[10][11]
In Sweden he studied at Uppsala University. On April 9, 2010, following the overthrow of president Kurmanbek Bakiyev, Baisalov returned to Kyrgyzstan and took a high position in the interim government, frequently appearing as spokesperson of the head of government.[citation needed]
Baisalov is married and has one daughter.
Quotes
- "We should cherish our sovereignty. Central Asia is not anyone’s back yard."[12]
- "We came out to the streets to demand that the government stop merging with organized crime. We demand law and order."[13]
References
- ^ "OSI Forum: Change of Power in Kyrgyzstan". Open Society Institute. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Update". Human Rights Watch. 2004-06-23. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ Philip Shishkin (2005-02-25). "In Putin's Backyard, Democracy Stirs -- With U.S. Help". International Republican Institute. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Ethan Wilensky-Lanford (2006-04-14). "Victim sees Kyrgyzstan in grip of criminals". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstan: Assault on Organized Crime Critic". Human Rights Watch. 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "NGO outcry over Kyrgyz attack". BBC. 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstani president accuses foes". Taipei Times. 2006-11-04. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Edil Baisalov joins SDPK". Fergana.Ru. 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
- ^ "Speaking with Edil Baisalov". Sean Roberts. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
- ^ "Kyrgyzstan: The Art Of Political Assassination". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ "Edil Baisalov Reappeared". Elena Skochilo. 2008-05-15. Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Isabel Gorst (2006-05-19). "US facility faces eviction from Kyrgyzstan". Financial Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
- ^ "Edil Baisalov quotes". thinkexist.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|dead-url=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External links
- Radio Free Europe biography (in Kyrgyz)
- 'Who is who' page on Akipress (in Russian)
- Baisalov's personal blog (in Russian)