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Political implications of the Covid-19 pandemic in Central Asia: insights from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan
[journal article]
Abstract The objective of this paper is to explore the political implications of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Studies displayed that although these governments varied in their initial response to the pandemic, all three underwent a uniform ex... view more
The objective of this paper is to explore the political implications of the Covid-19 pandemic in the Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan. Studies displayed that although these governments varied in their initial response to the pandemic, all three underwent a uniform experience as to its broader effect of amplified authoritarianism. The public health crisis was utilized as a pretext to consolidate autocratic power, suppress regime criticism, and restrict the political rights and freedoms of citizens. Of particular concern were implications on media and civil society organizational efforts, statuses of detainees, ethnic minority rights, and freedoms of assembly and speech. This paper is an in-depth case analysis that uses policy analysis and process tracing to examine the Central Asian countries' response to Covid-19 and its effects on human rights and political freedoms in the named countries. It concludes that despite the changes in leadership and relative progress towards democratization, authoritarian patterns ensued and changed form during the pandemic period in these Central Asian countries.... view less
Keywords
Central Asia; Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Uzbekistan; epidemic; political impact; authoritarianism; securing of power; repression; freedom of assembly; freedom of opinion; human rights; leadership change
Classification
Political Process, Elections, Political Sociology, Political Culture
Free Keywords
Covid-19 Pandemic; Political Freedoms
Document language
English
Publication Year
2022
Page/Pages
p. 360-374
Journal
Journal of Liberty and International Affairs, 8 (2022) 1
ISSN
1857-9760
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed