Oyan, Qazaqstan
Oyan, Qazaqstan or OQ (Kazakh for "Wake up, Kazakhstan") is a civil rights organization founded in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[1]
Types | voluntary association |
---|---|
Established | 5 June 2019 |
Country | Kazakhstan |
Aim | regime change |
Creation
The formation of Oyan, Qazaqstan was announced 5 June 2019, triggered by the arrest of activists Beybarys Tolymbekov and Asya Tulesova.[2] The group's name is based on a poetry book written by Mirjaqip Dulatuli (Mir Yakub Dulatov) in 1909 that was immediately confiscated by the Tsarist authorities, "a celebrated verse of defiance".[3] The hashtag "#IWokeUp" video (Kazakh: #MenOyandym) meme campaign involving actor and activist Anuar Nurpeisov, released the previous week,[4] was a factor in the creation of OQ.[5]
Aims
Oyan, Qazaqstan's concerns are fundamental political reform and human rights.[2][6] OQ is not a political party and does not seek political power for itself. It refuses cooperation with political parties in Kazakhstan and elsewhere.[2] OQ published a nine-point list of its specific aims, including "an end to political repression, reforming the distribution of power between the branches of government, free elections in line with international standards, and a system of self-governance at the local level".[4]
Actions
OQ has been involved in several of the 2019 Kazakh protests. On 30 August 2019, Kazakhstan's Constitution Day, OQ staged rallies in several cities around the country.[1]
References
- Gordeyeva, Mariya (2019-08-30). "Adopting softer stance, Kazakhstan allows small-scale protests". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- Syundyukova, Nazerke (2019-06-06). "A civilian movement". qazaqtimes.com. Archived from the original on 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- Lillis, Joanna (2019-06-11). "Kazakhstan: Waking up to reform". Eurasianet. Archived from the original on 2019-06-11. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- Wood, Colleen (2019-06-07). "New Civic Movement Urges Kazakhstan to 'Wake Up'". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
- Toiken, Saniya; Baumgartner, Pete (2019-06-07). "Uncle Toqaev Wants You! Kazakh Conscriptions, Jailings Greet Wave Of Preelection Protests". RFERL. Archived from the original on 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
- Kapparov, Kassymkhan (2019-08-29). "The Reforms Kazakhstan Needs | by Kassymkhan Kapparov". Project Syndicate. Archived from the original on 2020-01-06. Retrieved 2019-09-16.
See also
Respublika - another Kazakh activist organisation created in 2019