Oyan, Qazaqstan (Kazakh Cyrillic: Оян, Қазақстан; lit.'Wake Up, Kazakhstan'; OQ) is a civil rights movement founded in Almaty, Kazakhstan.[1]

Oyan, Qazaqstan
Established5 June 2019 Edit this on Wikidata (5 years ago)
Typesvoluntary association Edit this on Wikidata
CountryKazakhstan Edit this on Wikidata

Creation

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The formation of Oyan, Qazaqstan was announced 5 June 2019, triggered by the arrest, trial and conviction 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

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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

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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]

See also

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Respublika – another Kazakh activist organisation created in 2019

References

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  1. ^ a b Gordeyeva, Mariya (30 August 2019). "Adopting softer stance, Kazakhstan allows small-scale protests". Reuters. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b c Syundyukova, Nazerke (6 June 2019). "A civilian movement". qazaqtimes.com. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  3. ^ Lillis, Joanna (11 June 2019). "Kazakhstan: Waking up to reform". Eurasianet. Archived from the original on 11 June 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  4. ^ a b Wood, Colleen (7 June 2019). "New Civic Movement Urges Kazakhstan to 'Wake Up'". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  5. ^ Toiken, Saniya; Baumgartner, Pete (7 June 2019). "Uncle Toqaev Wants You! Kazakh Conscriptions, Jailings Greet Wave Of Preelection Protests". RFERL. Archived from the original on 7 June 2019. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
  6. ^ Kapparov, Kassymkhan (29 August 2019). "The Reforms Kazakhstan Needs | by Kassymkhan Kapparov". Project Syndicate. Archived from the original on 6 January 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
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