Kyrgyzstan - The erosion of democracy | DW Documentary

Kyrgyzstan is eroding democratic freedoms, while moving closer to Russia politically. With a feeling of dread, Jama Bekten is organizing what may be the last women's protest to defend their rights.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan was long considered a democratic outlier in Central Asia. Free elections, a vibrant civil society and independent media set the country apart from its authoritarian neighbors. But since President Sadyr Japarov came to power in 2021, press freedom and political opposition have been increasingly restricted. Critics are being prosecuted, independent media outlets are under pressure and civil society groups are being squeezed by new laws.

At the same time, Kyrgyzstan is experiencing an economic boom. The government touts the country's strong growth and a doubling of the gross domestic product. But part of this boom is linked to shifting flows of trade since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to expand its influence in Kyrgyzstan — including through the Kremlin-aligned Evrazia, also known as the Eurasia Organization, educational projects and the broadcaster Nomad TV. This documentary follows activists, journalists and scholars to show how Kyrgyzstan is evolving from an "island of democracy" into an increasingly authoritarian state.

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