Edil Baisalov

Edil Baisalov ( _ru. Эдиль Байсалов) is a Kyrgyz political activist and former president of the NGO, 'Coalition for Civil Society and Democracy', a leading civic advocacy group.cite web|url=http://www.soros.org/initiatives/cep/events/kyrgyzrevolution_20050406/event_biography_folder_initiative_view|title=OSI Forum: Change of Power in Kyrgyzstan|author=|publisher=Open Society Institute|date=|accessdate=2007-08-17] He was born in Bishkek in 1977 and attended the American University of Central Asia and the Kyrgyz State National University. He studied in Turkey (1992-1993) and the United States (1994-1995) as an exchange student.

In February, 2003, the Kyrgyz government forcibly hospitalized Baisalov, preventing him from attending an NGO meeting.cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2004/06/23/kyrgyz8962.htm|title=Kyrgyzstan: Human Rights Update|author=|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=2004-06-23|accessdate=2007-08-17]

Baisalov played a leading role in the Tulip Revolution of March 24, 2005.cite web|url=http://www.iri.org/newsarchive/2005/2005-02-25-News-WSJ.asp|title=In Putin's Backyard, Democracy Stirs -- With U.S. Help|author=Philip Shishkin|publisher=International Republican Institute|date=2005-02-25|accessdate=2007-08-17]

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.cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/04/13/news/kyrgyz.php|title=Victim sees Kyrgyzstan in grip of criminals|author=Ethan Wilensky-Lanford|publisher=International Herald Tribune|date=2006-04-14|accessdate=2007-08-17] cite web|url=http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/04/14/kyrgyz13174.htm|title=Kyrgyzstan: Assault on Organized Crime Critic|author=|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=2006-04-14|accessdate=2007-08-17] cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4909154.stm|title=NGO outcry over Kyrgyz attack|author=|publisher=BBC|date=2006-04-14|accessdate=2007-08-17]

In November 2006, Baisalov was involved in large anti-government demonstrations in Bishkek, acting as a spokesman for protesters.cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/world/archives/2006/11/04/2003334763|title=Kyrgyzstani president accuses foes|author=|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2006-11-04|accessdate=2007-08-17] Shortly afterwards, Baisalov was again attacked in the Osh airport.

In August 2007 Baisalov joined the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan, chaired by prime-minister Almazbek Atambaev.cite web|url=http://www.ferghana.ru/news.php?id=6919|title=Edil Baisalov joins SDPK|author=|publisher=Fergana.Ru|date=2007-08-27|accessdate=2007-08-28] He played an important role in consolidating democratic opposition to president Kurmanbek Bakiev. cite web|url=http://roberts-report.blogspot.com/2007/11/speaking-with-edil-baisalov-about.html|title=Speaking with Edil Baisalov |author=|publisher=Sean Roberts|date=2008-11-11|accessdate=2008-09-17]

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

Baisalov claimed that he was a victim of 'political vendetta' cite web|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/1079351.html|title= Kyrgyzstan: The Art Of Political Assassination|author=|publisher=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=2008-01-15|accessdate=2008-09-15] and left Kyrgyzstan on December 8, 2008 for Kazakstan and later reappeared in Sweden cite web|url=http://kyrgyzstan.neweurasia.net/2008/05/15/edil-baisalov-appeared/|title= Edil Baisalov Reappeared|author=|publisher=Elena Skochilo|date=2008-05-15|accessdate=2008-09-15] .

Baisalov is married with one daughter.

Quotes

*"We should cherish our sovereignty. Central Asia is not anyone’s back yard."cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/7e3665dc-e75e-11da-9046-0000779e2340.html|title=US facility faces eviction from Kyrgyzstan|author=Isabel Gorst|publisher=Financial Times|date=2006-05-19|accessdate=2007-08-17]
*"We came out to the streets to demand that the government stop merging with organized crime. We demand law and order."cite web|url=http://thinkexist.com/quotes/edil_baisalov/|title=Edil Baisalov quotes|author=|publisher=thinkexist.com|date=|accessdate=2007-08-17]

References

External links

* [http://www.azattyk.org/elections/officials/BaisalovE.asp Radio Free Europe biography] (in Kyrgyz)
* [http://whoiswho.akipress.org/?cat=2e1bk&id=1647 'Who is who' page on Akipress] (in Russian)
* [http://baisalov.livejournal.com/ Baisalov's personal blog] (in Russian)