ERK & BIRLIK

[B_US_UZ]

Hey everybody how do you think about "ERK" & "BIRLIK" the opposition parties of Uzbekistan?

[Alouddin]

"opposition parties"? aren't they supposed to be registered and acknowledged by the state authorities that they're opposing to? R Birlik and Erk registered? Does Karimov acknowledge them? Hence, can you call them "opposition parties"?

[B_US_UZ]

"opposition parties"? aren't they supposed to be registered and acknowledged by the state authorities that they're opposing to? R Birlik and Erk registered? Does Karimov acknowledge them? Hence, can you call them "opposition parties"? Actually they are now outside of country!

[Jaloliddin]

"opposition parties"? aren't they supposed to be registered and acknowledged by the state authorities that they're opposing to? R Birlik and Erk registered? Does Karimov acknowledge them? Hence, can you call them "opposition parties"?you were not enough to talk Perzident's shit. just shut up....:beat: :blowup: :throwup:

[Dummie]

The first secular opposition party “Birlik” (Unity) appeared in November 1988 and pursued two main goals: Establishing democracy and independence of Uzbekistan. The leader of this movement was Abdurahim Polatov professor of computer sciences. In a short period this party became very popular among population of Uzbekistan. Even though majority was not familiar with their political program, they were supporting Birlik as a protest against Communistic party. Especially their slogans attracted young generation, mainly students. Party leaders who were proffesors at the universities could easily find adherents. The most devout and active followers were students from periphery who in short term could not adjust to the realities of big city. In 1989 Birlik who declared itself as a democratic party held several meetings and demonstrations demanding status of State Language for Uzbek language. This attempt was successful and in 1989 the law about the state language has passed in the parliament. We have to emphasize that initially Birlik had been created as a national party and primarily was stressed on issues of national identity. Later their priorities switched to another realm, namely political independence. In the spring 1990 several activists of Birlik separated from party and created their own political party “ERK” (freedom). Unlike Birlik the Erk did not stress on the revival of national identity but emphasized on achieving political independence. The independence occurred suddenly and showed that both parties that were struggling for it were not ready. Karimov took the initiative into his hands and in short period of time reorganized Communistic party into National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan. Moreover new party declared that it was renouncing all previous ideological and political dogmas and expressed adherence in strengthening independence of Uzbekistan. Thereby Karimov copied all political programs of Birlik and Erk and soon opposition was deprived of their social basis, thus loosing supporters.
In 1991 presidential elections Muhammad Salih leader of ERK party was the only candidate for presidency from opposition because state didn’t allow participation of Birlik representatives. Solih got 13% of popular vote but insisted that the elections were biased.
In January 16-17 1992 Karimov faces one more challenge from opposition during student disorders organized by the opposition. Karimov realizes that students are the strongest power in the hands of opposition and he acts beyond of just suppressing the uprising. In a very short period he develops a program according to which new 15 new colleges and institutions established in peripheries and most of students from capital were moved to their domicile.
In the summer of 1992 opposition inspired with the success of opposition in neighboring Tadjikistan, which organized coup d’etat, plans a meeting against Karimov in early July, but again Karimov was faster. On 29th of June authorities plotted impingement on the life of Abdurahim Polatov. Opposition decided to postpone the meeting. Next and final step taken by the authorities was the ban of Birlik and Erk parties and by the 1994 all activists of both parties Birlik and Erk were jailed or forced to emmigrate to abroad. Their offices were shut down.

My opinion: They are weak and cannot be considered as a strong political force anymore. They even can not get along with each other.

[B_US_UZ]

The first secular opposition party “Birlik” (Unity) appeared in November 1988 and pursued two main goals: Establishing democracy and independence of Uzbekistan. The leader of this movement was Abdurahim Polatov professor of computer sciences. In a short period this party became very popular among population of Uzbekistan. Even though majority was not familiar with their political program, they were supporting Birlik as a protest against Communistic party. Especially their slogans attracted young generation, mainly students. Party leaders who were proffesors at the universities could easily find adherents. The most devout and active followers were students from periphery who in short term could not adjust to the realities of big city. In 1989 Birlik who declared itself as a democratic party held several meetings and demonstrations demanding status of State Language for Uzbek language. This attempt was successful and in 1989 the law about the state language has passed in the parliament. We have to emphasize that initially Birlik had been created as a national party and primarily was stressed on issues of national identity. Later their priorities switched to another realm, namely political independence. In the spring 1990 several activists of Birlik separated from party and created their own political party “ERK” (freedom). Unlike Birlik the Erk did not stress on the revival of national identity but emphasized on achieving political independence. The independence occurred suddenly and showed that both parties that were struggling for it were not ready. Karimov took the initiative into his hands and in short period of time reorganized Communistic party into National Democratic Party of Uzbekistan. Moreover new party declared that it was renouncing all previous ideological and political dogmas and expressed adherence in strengthening independence of Uzbekistan. Thereby Karimov copied all political programs of Birlik and Erk and soon opposition was deprived of their social basis, thus loosing supporters.
In 1991 presidential elections Muhammad Salih leader of ERK party was the only candidate for presidency from opposition because state didn’t allow participation of Birlik representatives. Solih got 13% of popular vote but insisted that the elections were biased.
In January 16-17 1992 Karimov faces one more challenge from opposition during student disorders organized by the opposition. Karimov realizes that students are the strongest power in the hands of opposition and he acts beyond of just suppressing the uprising. In a very short period he develops a program according to which new 15 new colleges and institutions established in peripheries and most of students from capital were moved to their domicile.
In the summer of 1992 opposition inspired with the success of opposition in neighboring Tadjikistan, which organized coup d’etat, plans a meeting against Karimov in early July, but again Karimov was faster. On 29th of June authorities plotted impingement on the life of Abdurahim Polatov. Opposition decided to postpone the meeting. Next and final step taken by the authorities was the ban of Birlik and Erk parties and by the 1994 all activists of both parties Birlik and Erk were jailed or forced to emmigrate to abroad. Their offices were shut down.

My opinion: They are weak and cannot be considered as a strong political force anymore. They even can not get along with each other. Mayby you right but Uzbekistan need some more parties!

[Dummie]

What are you hinting at? We have several parties today in Uzbekistan. The matter is how far they gone in sycophancy.

Actually what I posted is small extract from my paper. Although it is not finalized yet but even till this point I gathered a lot of information on Erk and Birlik. And in my opinion their postulates are obsolete today. As if you have read primarily they stressed on on the revival of national identity, and political independence. For instance Birlik emphasized on national identity. Unlike Birlik Erk had an agenda in gaining political independence. Today we have both. Uzbek is state language we are independent. So what makes these parties unique? Their hatred of Karimov and his regime? Or they have something that can bring freshness to the political situation in Uzbekistan?

[Alouddin]

you were not enough to talk Perzident's shit. just shut up....:beat: :blowup: :throwup: privet, Jaloliddin (a tak ismiz chiroyli ekan). Iltimos, shu gapizzi ruscha va yohud o'zbekchada qaytarib yuboring, a? a to meni inglishdagi savodim bu gapizzi tushunishga kamlik qilyapti. a tak rahmat

[noodles]

Hey everybody how do you think about "ERK" & "BIRLIK" the opposition parties of Uzbekistan?

Ya ne ochen' ponyal vopros, no postarayus' otvetit'... ERK and BIRLIK are not parties of Uzbekistan. If they're against the government it doesn't mean that they're the opposition(opposing parties). In order to participate as a parties they should be registered on legal bases and should have some support voices from the nation. If the question will be directed to you about those 2 parties i bet you don't know some exact information about them yourself. And those so "fresh-minded" leaders, believe me, can't bring anything brighter. And don't even tell me about their concept of unification blablabla... it's a big crap.

Even if we'd have like 20 more parties there wouldn't be any changes or political differentiation unless they start developing and striving for a real political battle and victory indeed. Political activity of modern parties in uzb just suck...

[orxan]

First of all, ERK and Birlik are not the only political forces opposing the government. There are also some forces, like " Ozod Dehkon Party of Uzbekistan" and the "Agrarian party". All these so called "parties" were trying to register through the Ministry of Justice of Uzbekistan. However, it did not work out. We can say that government did not register them, but the fact is they were rejected to register on a leagl basis. I.e. - Ministry of Justice found enough legal ways not to register all these parties.

Birlik went to Court accusing the Mnistry of Justice in using unfair reasons for not registering the party. But the court made a statement , which did not change the status of Birlik in this case, and did not put any obligations on Ministry of Justice.So the party remains unregistered.

All these forces were trying to unite, and created some kind of coallition. Their main objective was to unite and together participate in up coming parliamentary elections, which are going to be held on December 26, 2004. Being not registered, the only way for them to get into parliament - was to run their independent candidates, who were nominated through the initiative groups, in single mandate districts. Even this did not really work out as many independent candidates, who were affiliated with all these parties, did not get registration.

During their meetings, so called "kurultays" these 4 parties together with Human rights organizations were trying to make some deal and to find a compromise. It did not work out, they could not find common language, and started fighting each other. The idea is - if they cannot make a deal now in their meetings, how are they going to cooperate and solve people's problem in case they elected to parliament?

However, there was pretty much good struggle by these parties for participation in the elections. They even were getting some support from international organizations and NGO's. But government did not sleep either, and passed a presedential decree in May 2004 prohibiting any support(political, financial,equipmental) by any International organization to any political force in Uzbekistan.

And those leaders of Birlik and Erk, as Mohamad Salih or Abdurahim Polat, are not able to do anything now. even if they come back to country and are allowed to continue the political struggle, they will not get huge support from people, and will not solve the problems, as they were out of the country for too long period of time.

orhan

[Crazy Diamond]

Hey everybody how do you think about "ERK" & "BIRLIK" the opposition parties of Uzbekistan?

We do not refer to them as "opposition parties", but as "ALIEN THREATS" that want to invade and corrupt our NATIONAL IDEOLOGY, the ideology of our unique united Uzbek nation. They are a virus and should be terminated at once! :evil: :evil: :evil:

[Krom]

Проблема подобных партий, да и всех других в Узбекистане заключается в том, что они не имеют четкой идеологической платформы. Их не поймешь кто они, либералы, консерваторы, демократы или голубые...
А строить свою предвыборную программу только в оппозиции к правительственному курсу глупо, люди не пойдут за дешевой популярность, сейчас все сами себе политики...
Партиям не хватает квалифицированных кадров, которые могли бы привлечь народ своими программами. много раз я был на встечах партий (официальных) с народом, так вот не вызывают они у меня доверия. Не могут четко и конкретно сформулировать принципы, цели и задачи своей партии... А если активисты партии не знают зачем они, кто и что они из себя представляют, то нет никаких шансов к успеху...
Не ведется никакой работы с привлечением новых членов и не членов партии, так иногда в одностороннем порядке скажут какому-нибудть предприятию все в ЛДПУ (сам видел). А наши, если говрят, то надо идти и вступать, ура...
Крикунов и позиционеров в партиях хватает, а вот настоящих функционеров нет, тех кто работать будет нет...
Молодежных крыльев не то что нет, там нами и не пахнет, так только для прикола 1-2 сынка с дочурками бегают, типа молодежные крылья ОБ-ОК...
Так им ли называться оппозиционными? Им надо называтьсяф фоном, видать нашим спецслужбам с какой-то стороны выгодно, чтобы существовали эрки и бирлики, надо же чем-то уступку делать демократии, как кость кинут, авось заткнуться международники...
Вот мой мнение по этому поводу, которое может не совпадать с мнением других участников...