Kyrgyzstan: Uluttar Birimdigi (UB) party, including whether the Uluttar Birimdigi has seats in the federal parliament; treatment of UB members by authorities; membership cards (2012-October 2016)

Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Ottawa

1. Overview

The Uluttar Birimdigi (UB) party [also known as the Uluttar Birimdigi Eldik Partiyasy (Europa n.d.)] has been translated as the Unity of Ethnicities People's Party (ibid.), the Ethnic Unity party (AKI Press 30 Aug. 2012), the Unity of Nation (Interfax 6 Dec. 2013) and the Unity of Ethnic Groups (Vecherniy Bishkek 6 Dec. 2012).

Sources indicate that the party is based in Osh (Europa n.d.; IWPR 20 Mar. 2013). Some sources describe it as a "local" (ibid.) or a "southern regional" party (Freedom House 2016). According to Europa World Online, the party represents the "interests of southern regions of Kyrgyzstan" (Europa n.d.). In correspondence with the Research Directorate, a research fellow at the Zentrum Moderner Orient in Berlin, who specializes in Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia, noted that the UB party is the only political party originating from southern Kyrgyzstan, but that it is not influential and is relatively unknown by Kyrgyz outside of Osh (Research Fellow 20 Oct. 2016). Similarly, in correspondence with the Research Directorate, a senior lecturer at the University of Exeter, whose work focuses on Central Asia, stated that the UB party has "never had a national presence" (Senior Lecturer 25 Oct. 2016).

The Research Fellow indicated that the UB party's main goals are to keep peace and stability in the country, fight against "corruption and tribalism," as well as promote unity, inter-ethnic dialogue, rule of law and economic stability (20 Oct. 2016). Some sources describe it as an "opposition" party (24.kg 22 July 2015; KyrTAg 18 Dec. 2015) and a "nationalist" party (ibid.). However, according to the Research Fellow, the party contains different ethnic groups, including Kyrgyz, Uzbeks and Russians; membership is comprised primarily of young people, local inhabitants of Osh, and people who lost their property during the [2010] conflict in Osh (20 Oct. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

In correspondence with the Research Directorate, an associate professor at the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at Carleton University, who specializes in the Central Asia region, stated that there were some divisions within the UB party, but did not provide details (Associate Professor 14 Oct. 2016).

2. Leadership

Sources indicate that the UB party was founded by Melis [or Melisbek (Europa n.d.)] Myrzakmatov, who held the position of mayor of Osh (IWPR 14 Nov. 2014; AKI Press 30 Aug. 2012). Myrzakmatov is also described as the leader of the UB party (ibid.; Europa n.d.; KyrTAg 13 Apr. 2012). Sources report that Myrzakmatov became mayor of Osh in 2009 (EurasiaNet 1 Dec. 2014; IWPR 20 Mar. 2013), and was backed by the UB party (ibid.).

Sources indicate that Myrzakmatov governed Osh independently from the Kyrgyz central government (ibid.; Freedom House 2015a; EurasiaNet 1 Dec. 2014). According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Myrzakmatov administered Osh "like a personal kingdom" between 2009 and 2013 (15 Jan. 2014a). The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) similarly cites one of its editors based in Bishkek who spent time in Osh as stating that Myrzakmatov was "unpredictable" and governed Osh "according to his own rules" (IWPR 20 Mar. 2013). Some sources describe Myrzakmatov as being "a troublesome figure for central government" (ibid.) or "enormously problematic" (Juraev 15 Jan. 2014).

Sources indicate that Myrzakmatov had popular support (ibid.; IWPR 20 Mar. 2013) as well as connections through business (ibid.; Juraev 15 Jan. 2014; Freedom House 2015a) and sports clubs (ibid.; Juraev 15 Jan. 2014). According to RFE/RL, Myrzakmatov's support included "several hundred 'sportsmen' . . . who acted as a protection force for Myrzakmatov" (29 Sept. 2015).

Sources describe Myrzakmatov as having "Kyrgyz nationalist" views (IWPR 20 Mar. 2013; Associate Professor 13 Oct. 2016) or openly voicing messages many perceived to be "nationalist or separatist" (Juraev 15 Jan. 2014). According to sources, Myrzakmatov's tenure as mayor saw ethnic violence break out between the Uzbek and Kyrgyz living in Osh in 2010 (IWPR 20 Mar. 2013; RFE/RL 29 Sept. 2015; Megoran Dec. 2012, 4), in which more than 400 people died (ibid.; International Crisis Group 29 Mar. 2012, 2). International Crisis Group notes that the majority of fatalities and destruction of property occurred among the Uzbek community (ibid.). Sources indicate that many ethnic Uzbeks living in Osh accuse Myrzakmatov of "complicity" (RIA Novosti 5 Dec. 2013) or of being "at least partially responsible" for the June 2010 violence (RFE/RL 29 Sept. 2015).

According to the Associate Professor, Myrzakmatov "worked to isolate the Uzbek population following the 2010 riots" (14 Oct. 2016). The IWPR similarly reports that many Uzbek residents in Osh considered the mayor a nationalist and held the opinion that local authorities were marginalizing and discriminating against Uzbeks (20 Mar. 2013).

In a paper published by Chatham House, Nick Megoran, a senior lecturer in political geography at Newcastle University whose research focuses on the creation of nation-states in Central Asia, indicates that following the June 2010 violence, Myrzakmatov promoted a policy of "tolerance" through initiatives like the development of housing projects mixing ethnicities, festivals celebrating Uzbek and Kyrgyz cultural traditions, lessons in Kyrgyz for minorities, and the promotion of patriotism amongst youth (Megoran Dec. 2012, 22-23). In addition, Myrzakmatov used symbols to promote Osh as "a Kyrgyz city … firmly and securely part of the Kyrgyz republic," such as a new flag, anthem, and monuments with Kyrgyz symbolism (ibid., 23-24).

Sources report that Melis Myrzakmatov was dismissed as mayor of Osh in December 2013 (Freedom House 2015a; RIA Novosti 5 Dec. 2013; RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2014b). The decree was issued by the Prime Minister (ibid.; RIA Novosti 5 Dec. 2013). Interfax, a news wire specializing in Central Asia and Russia, quotes a spokesperson of the UB party as stating that the dismissal was due to "'differences in political views'" (Interfax 6 Dec. 2013). RFE/RL indicates that Myrzakmatov was dismissed for participating in anti-government protests (15 Jan. 2014b).

According to Interfax, on 5 December 2013, approximately "200 aggressive young men" tried to enter the mayor's office to demand an explanation for Myrzakmatov's dismissal, but they were stopped by police (Interfax 6 Dec. 2013). AKI Press, a Bishkek-based independent news agency, indicates that on 7 December 2013, there was a rally in support of Myrzakmatov following his dismissal in which approximately 3,000 people participated (AKI 9 Dec. 2013).

Sources report that in January 2014, the city of Osh elected a new mayor (Freedom House 2015a; RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2014b). RFE/RL notes that the mayoral election was determined in secret ballot by the city council members (ibid.). The new mayor won 25 votes from city council members, compared to 19 votes supporting Myrzakmatov (ibid. 2014a; Juraev 15 Jan. 2014).

Sources report that there was a demonstration following the results of the mayoral vote in Osh (RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2014b; IWPR 24 Jan. 2014). Sources further indicate that some of the protesters attempted to take over the regional government building and threw stones at the police (ibid.; RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2014b). According to RFE/RL, four police officers were injured during the protests (ibid.). The same source notes that there were 10,000 protesters, including 80 men on horseback (ibid.). According to AKI Press, there were more than 2,000 people, including 50 to 60 on horseback (AKI 15 Jan. 2014). IWPR reports that there were "several thousand" (IWPR 24 Jan. 2014). Sources indicate that the demonstrators dispersed once Myrzakmatov called on them to disperse (ibid.; RFE/RL 15 Jan. 2014b).

Sources report that in July 2015, Myrzakmatov was sentenced in absentia to seven years imprisonment for abuse of office (Freedom House 2016; 24.kg 22 July 2015; EurasiaNet 23 July 2015), specifically for a project involving the construction of a bridge (ibid.; Research Fellow 20 Oct. 2016). According to the Research Fellow, the case against Myrzakmatov included the violation of "some of the rules of tender in constructing the bridge" and the project was not finished due to a lack of funds (ibid.). The same source described the case against Myrzakmatov as "political persecution" (ibid.). In contrast, the Senior Lecturer expressed the opinion that it would be "misleading" to attribute the charges against Myrzakmatov as linked to "his political affiliations" (25 Oct. 2016).

Sources indicate that Myrzakmatov left Kyrgyzstan in the autumn of 2014 around the time that criminal charges were brought against him (RFE/RL 29 Sept. 2015; Interfax 18 Aug. 2015). Sources also note that he is living abroad (ibid.; EurasiaNet 23 July 2015).

According to the Research Fellow, as of 2016, there was no leader of the UB party and some members moved to other political parties (Research Fellow 20 Oct. 2016). The same source described the current state of the party as "very weak," as a result of the lack of leadership (ibid.). The Senior Lecturer similarly indicated that the UB party is "much less active than when Myrzakmatov was an active politician" (Senior Lecturer 25 Oct. 2016).

3. Alliances

According to sources, in February 2014, opposition politicians united to form a group called the United National Opposition Movement (Freedom House 2015b) or the United Opposition Movement (CACI Analyst 19 Feb. 2014); Myrzakmatov and the UB Party are members of this coalition (ibid.; Freedom House 2015b). The Movement calls to reinstate the current constitution and to transition to a parliamentary government (ibid.; Freedom House 2015b). According to Freedom House, the alliance includes both northern and southern politicians and claims that President Almazbak Atambayev "has illegally undermined parliamentary authority" (ibid.). An opposition member in Kyrgyzstan's parliament, Ravshan Jeenbekov, serves as the leader of this movement (ibid.; CACI Analyst 19 Feb. 2014).

Sources indicate that in 2015, there was a merger between the Uluttar Birimdigi party and the Ata Meken party (EurasiaNet 23 July 2015; OSCE 17 Sept. 2015, 5). The Political Handbook of the World 2015 (PHW) describes Ata Meken as "a center-left Socialist Party" that was founded in 1992 (PHW 2015, 816). According to sources, as of September 2015, Myrzakmatov was listed as a parliamentary candidate by Ata Meken for the October 2015 parliamentary elections, despite bearing a criminal offence conviction in absentia (CA-News 3 Sept. 2015; RFE/RL 29 Sept. 2015).

4. Political Representation
4.1 In Parliament

Reporting on the 2014 calendar year, Freedom House indicated that the UB party had no national representation in parliament (2015b). Reporting on the aftermath of the October 2015 parliamentary elections, media sources note that the UB party does not have any representatives in parliament under their party's name, but Ata Meken received approximately 7.8 percent of the vote, winning 11 seats in parliament (Kabar News 19 Oct. 2015; The Diplomat 3 Oct. 2015). The Senior Lecturer also stated that the UB party has no seats in parliament (25 Oct. 2016).

4.2 In Osh City Council

The UB party won 21 of 45 city council seats in the 2012 local elections (IWPR 20 Mar. 2013; KyrTAg 13 Apr. 2012; AKI Press 13 Apr. 2012). They formed a 23-member coalition by including an elected member of the Zamandash party and an elected member of the NDPK party (ibid.).

5. Treatment by Authorities

The Kyrgyz Telegraph Agency (KyTAg), a privately-owned online news agency, reports that in December 2013, after Myrzakmatov was dismissed as mayor, the UB party called on authorities to stop putting pressure on supporters of their party and publishing materials discrediting Myrzakmatov (KyTAg 26 Dec. 2013). Media sources cited Myrzakmatov as stating that criminal cases were being opened against UB members (AKI 9 Dec. 2013; <span lang="ru" xml:lang="ru">Vecherniy Bishkek</span> 6 Dec. 2013). AKI Press further indicates that Myrzakmatov was aware of 3-4 criminal cases opened against local council members of the UB party (9 Dec. 2013). <span lang="ru" xml:lang="ru">Vecherniy Bishkek</span>, a privately-owned Daily Kyrgyz newspaper, quotes Myrzakmatov as saying that UB city council member, Kajimali Eshmatov, was "intimidated and prevented from free movement" on multiple occasions and was "forced" to relinquish his membership in the city council and to cut ties with Myrzakmatov (<span lang="ru" xml:lang="ru">Vecherniy Bishkek</span> 6 Dec. 2013). The same source indicates that UB party member and member of Osh city council, Shayloobek Atasov, got a one-year suspended sentence and had property confiscated, which Myrzakmatov claimed was "'political persecution'" (ibid.). According to Interfax, in December 2013, Atasov was given a one-year suspended sentence and had to withdraw from the Osh council (Interfax 13 Dec. 2013). Another Uluttar Birimdigi deputy, Amanullo Iminov, was reported as being a possible suspect in a criminal case (ibid.). Further information about these cases could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Media sources report on the following incidents involving UB members in 2014 and 2015:

• In March 2014, council member for the UB Party, Shayloobek Atazov, along with a journalist and the leader of Jashtar Okmotu youth movement, were escorted to the police station by a 50-person task force and questioned for several hours, before being told that the police had been "mistaken … for some other violators of law" (<span lang="ru" xml:lang="ru">Vecherniy Bishkek</span> 2 Mar. 2014).
• In 2015, Uran Botobekov, a member of the political council of the UB party, was fined for stating in an interview published on a website that the president was behind attacks against a media holding (Moskovskiy Komsomolets 9 Feb. 2016; Ferghana.ru 5 Sept. 2016). He was fined 1.8 million som (US$26,500) (ibid.).
• In May 2015, Myrzakmatov's brother Kenesh [Keneshbek] Myrzakmatov, and other associates, were charged with taking bribes for apartments meant for people who lost their homes during the 2010 ethnic violence (Freedom House 2016; RFE/RL 6 May 2015). According to the Research Fellow, Kenesh fraudulently collected 13 million som from 19 people (20 Oct. 2016).
• In December 2015, Uran Botobekov, described as "a leader" of the UB party, was fined 1,000 som under charges of "breaching public order" for participating in a rally (KyrTAg 18 Dec. 2015).
• The Senior Lecturer expressed the opinion that anyone associated with Myrzakmatov "might be at risk," but also noted that he was not aware of "widespread arrests of party members" (25 Oct. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

6. Membership Cards

Information on UB party membership cards could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

24.kg. 22 July 2015. "Ex-mayor of Southern Kyrgyz City Sentenced to Seven Years in Jail in Absentia." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

AKI Press. 15 January 2014. "Unsuccessful Candidate Doesn't Recognize Osh Mayoral Results." (Factiva)

AKI Press. 9 December 2013. "Authorities Were Mistaken to Dismiss Him from Osh Mayor's Post, Says Former Mayor." (Factiva)

AKI Press. 30 August 2012. "Southern Kyrgyz Mayor's Party Sets Demands for New Government." Translated by BBC Monitoring Newsfile. (Factiva)

AKI Press. 13 April 2012. "Coalition of Ulattar Birimdigi, HDPK, Zamandash Created in Osh Local Council." (Factiva)

Associate Professor, Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, Carleton University. 14 October 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Central Asia News (CA-News). 3 September 2015. "Central Election Commission Working Group Recommends Denial of Registration for Ata Meken's Candidate Wanted by Police." (Factiva)

Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Analyst (CACI Analyst). 19 February 2014. Arslan Sabyrbekov. "Kyrgyzstan's New United Opposition Movement." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

The Diplomat. 3 October 2015. Catherine Putz. "Kyrgyzstan Elects a New Parliament." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2016]

EurasiaNet. 23 July 2015. "Kyrgyz Government's Nationalist Foe Sentenced." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

EurasiaNet. 1 December 2014. "Kyrgyzstan: Nationalist Leader Faces Charges as Parliamentary Campaign Begins." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Europa World. N.d. "Uluttar Birimdigi Eldik Partiyasy (Uluttar Birimdigi) (Unity of Ethnicities People's Party)." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2016]

Ferghana.ru. 5 September 2016. "Kyrgyz Jounralists Increasingly Face 'Witch-hunt'." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Freedom House. 2016. "Kyrgyzstan." Freedom in the World 2016. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Freedom House. 2015a. "Kyrgyzstan." Nations in Transit 2015. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Freedom House. 2015b. "Kyrgyzstan." Freedom in the World 2015. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). 14 November 2014. Pavel Dyatlenko. "Strange Bedfellows Ahead of Kyrgyz Election." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). 24 January 2014. Pavel Dyatlenko. "Double Win for Kyrgyz Government in Key Mayoral Polls." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). 20 March 2013. Saule Mukhametrakhimova. "Kyrgyzstan: Southern Mayor a Tough Survivor." [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Interfax. 18 August 2015. "(Corr) Kyrgyz Court Upholds Ruling Against Ex-mayor of Southern City." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Interfax. 13 December 2013. "City Councils to Elect Bishkek, Osh Mayors." (Factiva)

Interfax. 6 December 2013. "Osh Residents Ready to Support Dismissed Mayor." (Factiva)

International Crisis Group. 29 March 2012. Kyrgyzstan: Widening Ethnic Divisions in the South. Asia Report No. 222. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Juraev, Shairbek. 15 January 2014. PONARS Eurasia. "Kyrgyzstan - New Mayors Elected in Bishkek and Osh." [Accessed 6 Oct. 2016]

Kabar News. 19 October 2015. Nurzhan Kasmalieva. "Elections in Kyrgyzstan Cause Similar Assessment of Different Observers." (Factiva)

Kyrgyz Telegraph Agency (KyrTAg). 18 December 2015. "Kyrgyz Opposition Leaders, Journalists Fined Over 'Unauthorized Rally'." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Kyrgyz Telegraph Agency (KyrTAg). 26 December 2013. "Ex-Southern Kyrgyz Mayor's Party Calls for End to Smear Campaign Against Leader." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Kyrgyz Telegraph Agency (KyrTAg). 13 April 2012. "Southern Kyrgyz Mayor's Ally Elected City Council Chief." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Megoran, Nick. December 2012. Chatham House. Averting Violence in Kyrgyzstan: Understanding and Responding to Nationalism. Russia and Eurasia Paper: 2012/03. [Accessed 30 Sept. 2016]

Moskovskiy Komsomolets. 9 February 2016. Ulugbek Babakulov. "Kyrgyz Authorities Warned Against 'Persecution' of Independent Media." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 17 September 2015. Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) Election Observation Mission Kyrgyz Republic. Interim Report 25 August- 14 September 2015. [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

Political Handbook of the World (PHW). 2015. "Kyrgyzstan." Edited by Thomas Lansford. Washington, DC: CQ Press. [Accessed 25 Oct. 2016]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 29 September 2015. Bruce Pannier. "Along Kyrgyzstan's Campaign Trail: Osh." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2016]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 6 May 2015. "Brother of Wanted Former Mayor Arrested on Fraud Charges." [Accessed 17 Sept. 2016]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 15 January 2014a. Daisy Sindelar. "Has Kyrgyzstan Laid Hopes on Devil it Doesn't Know?" [Accessed 17 Sept. 2016]

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 15 January 2014b. "Myrzakmatov Vows to Fight on After Losing Osh Mayoral Vote." [Accessed 17 Sept. 2016]

Research Fellow, Zentrum Moderner Orient. 20 October 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

RIA Novosti. 5 December 2013. "Powerful, Outspoken Mayor in Southern Kyrgyzstan City Fired." (Factiva)

Senior Lecturer, Department of Politics, University of Exeter. 25 October 2016. Correspondence with the Research Directorate.

Vecherniy Bishkek. 2 March 2014. "Kyrgyz Police Reportedly Detain New Youth Movement Members." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Vecherniy Bishkek. 6 December 2013. "Southern Kyrgyz City's Ex-mayor Says Fight Against Corruption Biased." Translated by BBC Monitoring Central Asia. (Factiva)

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Assistant Professor, College of International Security Affairs, National Defense University; Associate Professor of international and comparative politics, American University of Central Asia; Associate Professor of political science, University of Toronto; Associate Research Professor of international affairs, George Washington University; Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan; Ellison Center for Russian, East European, and Central Asian Studies, University of Washington; Lecturer in political geography, Newcastle University; Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Professor of political science, University of Michigan; Senior Lecturer, Department of Politics, University of Exeter; Soros Kyrgyzstan.

Internet sites, including: Amnesty International; Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan; Chatham House; ecoi.net; Human Rights Watch; International Crisis Group; Jamestown Foundation; PONARS Eurasia; Soros Kyrgyzstan; UN - Refworld; US - Department of State.