Category: Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan: voters approve new constitution in referendum
A new Kyrgyz constitution, proposed by referendum, was approved by 79.3% of voters according to preliminary results. Turnout, however, was low: just over 35%. Voters in Kyrgyzstan have… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: murder of a young woman sparks public anger
In Kyrgyzstan, thousands of young girls and women are abducted every year for forced marriage. Although the practice was outlawed in 2013, bride kidnapping persists, with devastating consequences for… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: why Bishkek’s air quality is so poor
Out in the foothills near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, one can observe a dark cloud hanging over the city throughout the year. ЛИВЕНЬ Living Asia looked into how… [...]
Kyrgyzstan to hold constitutional referendum in April
It’s official: Kyrgyzstan will choose whether or not to modify its constitution on 11 April. Parliament approved the bill making provisions for a referendum last week and the president,… [...]
More Russian passports, fewer labour migrants: Central Asian migration to Russia in 2020
In 2020, Tajikistan overtook Kazakhstan on the list of countries whose citizens received Russian passports in 2020, coming second behind only Ukraine. Last year, a record number of… [...]
Support Novastan, the European Central Asia magazine
By supporting Novastan, you are supporting the only English, French and German-language media specialising in Central Asia. We're independent and we need your help to stay that way!
Fergana News at risk of closing down
Fergana News, the biggest Russian news site dedicated to Central Asia, is experiencing major financial difficulties and is at risk of closing down. This article was originally published… [...]
Spotify expands to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan
Spotify is coming to Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Local music distributors see the arrival of the Swedish streaming service not as a game changer but rather as another sign of… [...]
Matraimov’s millions: the story of a Kyrgyz corruption scandal
The Matraimov corruption scandal has had a significant resonance across Kyrgyz society and has been a driver of ongoing protests in Kyrgyzstan. But the question of whether Raimbek Matraimov,… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: Ulukbek Maripov heads pared-down government
Kyrgyzstan’s new prime minister and his government officially took office last week. Ulukbek Maripov could go down in history as the last prime minister of Kyrgyzstan, as President Sadyr… [...]
Rise and fall… and rise: the career of Kyrgyzstan’s Sadyr Japarov
Sadyr Japarov took office as president of Kyrgyzstan this Thursday. He is the country’s sixth president and the third to come to power following political uprisings. His political career… [...]
Kyrgyzstan: threat of censorship looms after controversial comedy show
After a controversial comedy show on YouTube, Kyrgyzstan’s culture minister discussed stronger state control of musicians. Artists and parts of civil society reacted with indignation and criticised the lack… [...]
Central Asia in 2020: the year in review
Coronavirus, border clashes, a political crisis in Kyrgyzstan… Central Asia had a turbulent 2020. Here is Novastan’s overview. In Central Asia as in the rest of the… [...]