Abstract
AbstractIn this paper, we discuss the challenges of developing secular framework in relation to religion in Kyrgyzstan, the first Central Asian republic where democratic institutions were established after the collapse of the Soviet Union and which has been strongly challenged in maintaining its democratic achievements during the Tulip Revolution and other revolts in 2010 and 2020. The question we aim to answer is how processes of securitization shape the relationship between state institutions and religious organizations, knowing that Kyrgyzstan is still influenced both by the Soviet understanding of secularism and by models of secularity and governance from countries and societies with different histories and conditions of development. We look at different phases of the relationship between state and religion starting with the regime change and the establishment of a democratic state. Secondly, the establishing of a legal framework for state policy on religious organizations. Thirdly, the time of the adoption of measures to protect the interests of all citizens, believers and non-believers, and the beginning of the process of active influence of state policy on the situation in the religious sphere. And finally, the new (mis)understanding of the relations between the state and religion, both on the side of the state and religious organizations. Our theoretical point of departure is the concept of securitization, and from there on we take a discursive approach focusing on the different actors in this arena, such as state institutions and the various religious organizations and groups.
Highlights
In this paper, we discuss the challenges of developing secular framework in relation to religion in Kyrgyzstan, the first Central Asian republic where democratic institutions were established after the collapse of the Soviet Union and which has been strongly challenged in maintaining its democratic achievements during the Tulip Revolution and other revolts in 2010 and 2020
Our theoretical point of departure is the concept of securitization, and from there on we take a discursive approach focusing on the different actors in this arena, such as state institutions and the various religious organizations and groups
The government decided to publish a new concept of state policy in the religious sphere for the period from 2014 to 2020 that was developed along with representatives of civil society and religious organizations and signed by the President in 2014 and which emphasizes the coordination between state and religious organizations in preventing extremism. It can be said the process of entanglement of the development of a secular state and the freedom of religion is counteracted by the interlinkage of ethnicity with religion in Kyrgyzstan
Summary
The interlinkage between religion and security is an emerging area of study within securitization theory, and its implications for research are still open. Securitization can take place at the level of state, society or international systems; and in a diverse set of sectors such as economic, military, political and educational This approach based on discourse has been criticized by Thierry Balzacq, who introduces the structural argument and claims that “securitization theory can capture that the power of the elite can shape certain issues as threats and determine how to deal with these issues”.5. This opens the way for political measures in relation to religiously defined objects that would otherwise not be considered permissible”.12 In both perspectives, namely religion under threat and religion as a threat, the question of freedom of religion or the question of what consequences the process of securitization has for certain internationally guaranteed rights is decisive This opens the way for political measures in relation to religiously defined objects that would otherwise not be considered permissible”.12 In both perspectives, namely religion under threat and religion as a threat, the question of freedom of religion or the question of what consequences the process of securitization has for certain internationally guaranteed rights is decisive
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