Edil Baisalov

Edil Baisalov (Russian: Эдиль Байсалов) is a Kyrgyz politician, civil society activist who currently serves as the Kyrgyz Republic's Ambassador to the Court of St James's. He played prominent role in the Tulip Revolution of 2005 and following the 2010 Kyrgyzstani uprising on April 7, 2010 briefly served as Chief of Staff of the interim government led by Roza Otunbayeva.[1] In 1999-2007 Baisalov led the 'Coalition for Civil Society and Democracy', the largest Kyrgyz advocacy and election monitoring network.[2]

Early life

He was born on August 6, 1977 in Bishkek and grew up in Naryn. He studied in Turkey (1992–1993) and the United States (1994–1995) as an exchange student.[3] He attended the American University of Central Asia and the Kyrgyz State National University.[4]

Political career

In February 2003, the Kyrgyz government forcibly hospitalized Baisalov, preventing him from attending an NGO meeting.[5]

Baisalov played a leading role in the Tulip Revolution of March 24, 2005.[6]

Baisalov has campaigned against crime and corruption. On April 12, 2006 he survived an attempted assassination for his vocal criticism of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev's failure to battle organized crime.[7][8][9]

In July 2006 he was the recipient of the American Bar Association's international rule of law award presented by the US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with the following citation:

"Edil Baisalov, President of the Coalition of NGOs for Democracy and Civil Society, Kyrgyzstan. Steadfast human rights advocate, he has promoted reform efforts designed to advance democracy and abate corruption in his country. He has persisted in doing so despite threats to, and even a violent assault on, his very life".[10]

In November 2006, Baisalov was involved in large anti-government demonstrations in Bishkek, acting as a spokesman for protesters.[11][12] Shortly afterwards, Baisalov was again attacked in the Osh airport.[13]

In August 2007 Baisalov joined the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, chaired by then prime-minister Almazbek Atambaev.[14] He played an important role in consolidating democratic opposition to President Kurmanbek Bakiev.[15]

On December 4, 2007 Edil Baisalov was removed by the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan from the candidates list of the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan and barred from participating in the 2007 parliamentary elections. Many activists and lawyers claimed this decision to be politically motivated and illegal. It was alleged that Baisalov published the ballot on his blog and the General Prosecutor charged him with attempt to undermine integrity of elections.[16]

Baisalov claimed that he was a victim of political vendetta and left Kyrgyzstan on December 8, 2007 for Kazakhstan and was resettled with his family in Sweden by UNHCR.[17][18]

In 2012-2013 Edil Baisalov served as acting Minister for Social Development, and later as deputy Minister for Social Development, with the responsibility for children, elderly and the disabled.[19] His refusal to declare a moratorium on the international adoptions attracted controversy.[20]

On May 28, 2019 Foreign Affairs Committee of Jogorku Kenesh approved and nominated Baisalov to be the Kyrgyz Republic Ambassador to the United Kingdom. His nomination was approved by the President Sooronbay Jeenbekov's decree on June 11, 2019.[21] Edil Baisalov presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II on November 21, 2019, formally becoming Ambassador.[22]

Quotes
  • "We should cherish our sovereignty. Central Asia is not anyone’s back yard."[23]
  • "We came out to the streets to demand that the government stop merging with organized crime. We demand law and order."[24]

References
  1. "Thousands mourn victims of Kyrgyz uprising". Financial Times. Retrieved 2020-05-27.
  2. "OSI Forum: Change of Power in Kyrgyzstan". Open Society Institute. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  3. "Bio of the Kyrgyz Republic Ambassador". Diplomat Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  4. "Байсалов Эдиль Жолдубаевич — биография". Sputnik Кыргызстан (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  5. "Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Update". Human Rights Watch. 2004-06-23. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  6. Philip Shishkin (2005-02-25). "In Putin's Backyard, Democracy Stirs -- With U.S. Help". International Republican Institute. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  7. Ethan Wilensky-Lanford (2006-04-14). "Victim sees Kyrgyzstan in grip of criminals". International Herald Tribune. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  8. "Kyrgyzstan: Assault on Organized Crime Critic". Human Rights Watch. 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  9. "NGO outcry over Kyrgyz attack". BBC. 2006-04-14. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  10. "Speeches - sp_07-11-06 - Supreme Court of the United States". www.supremecourt.gov. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  11. "Kyrgyzstani president accuses foes". Taipei Times. 2006-11-04. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  12. "Эдиль Байсалов: «Я уповаю на мудрость и на историческую ответственность Бакиева»". Фергана.Ру. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  13. "Киргизия: В Оше совершено нападение на одного из лидеров оппозиции Эдиля Байсалова". Фергана - международное агентство новостей. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  14. "Edil Baisalov joins SDPK". Fergana.Ru. 2007-08-27. Retrieved 2007-08-28.
  15. "Speaking with Edil Baisalov". Sean Roberts. 2008-11-11. Retrieved 2008-09-17.
  16. "Kyrgyz candidate barred from election over blog". Reuters. 2007-12-04. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  17. "Kyrgyzstan: The Art Of Political Assassination". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 2008-01-15. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  18. "Edil Baisalov Reappeared". Elena Skochilo. 2008-05-15. Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
  19. K-News (2012-08-03). "Эдиль Байсалов назначен и.о. министра соцразвития". K-News (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  20. "Kyrgyzstan: Long-Stalled International Adoptions Face New Hurdle | Eurasianet". eurasianet.org. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  21. Экономика; Политика; Общество; Президент; Парламент; Правительство; Аналитика; Covid-19; Выборы 2020. "Назначены послы Кыргызстана в Великобритании и Беларуси". Информационное Агентство Кабар (in Russian). Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  22. "Queen Elizabeth II receives Kyrgyz shyrdak as gift". Информационное Агентство Кабар. Retrieved 2020-05-28.
  23. Isabel Gorst (2006-05-19). "US facility faces eviction from Kyrgyzstan". Financial Times. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  24. "Edil Baisalov quotes". thinkexist.com. Archived from the original on 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2007-08-17.


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