Abstract
The phenomenon
of civil society is the most significant factor for societies and states. In
recent times, states are categorized whether they have strong civil societies
and non-governmental organizations. At the same time, this phenomenon is
related to modern international relations because the big powers use these
organizations as a tool in their regional and worldwide politics. At this
point, Uzbekistan Civil Commotion Movement and Muhammed Salih is a good example for
observing the role of non-governmental organizations in the international
relations system.
In terms of relations
of civil society-democracy, democracy-nongovernmental organizations and international
relations, the UCCM is assessed in this article. Thus, it is revealed that non-governmental
organizations can effect the International Relations
System.
Key words: Democracy, Civil Society, Muhammed Salih,
Non-governmental Organizations, Civil Commotion Movement.
1. Civil Society and Democracy
Civil society
can be described as an organized section of the social life that take place outside
the administrative organizations of political societies/states, depends on volunteer
legal order besides determining its internal order.'[1]
The fact of civil society have been defined in different ways in political and
social history.
When we observe
features of states that have democratic systems, it can be observed that they
have a strong civil society and their judicial systems are good examples for
other states that do not have effective judicial systems. In these democratic
states, there are strong non-governmental organizations which have strong
effects by participating in political processes rather than simply voting.
These organizations have an opportunity to determine their own rules to an acceptable
extend against political order.[2]
Nevertheless, political societies/states should realize
their political
activities transparently and accountably to
public and should not abuse freedom of information. If this
supported by strong and neutral media tools, civil societies can fulfil their
responsibilities.
At this point, relation of civil
society and democracy come into question as the best known feature of civil
societies is to compel states for changing some decisions and taking back steps
in their policies. However, it should be remembered that civil societies are
protected by states, thus; rights and freedoms secured by laws can create a
system of mutual relation and dependency.
On the other
hand, non-governmental organizations have a strong positions in domestic policy
as much as they can be a tool for decision makers in the international system. In terms of
producing and exporting democracy,
human rights, economic reforms to other countries, NGO’s can create danger to their own authoritarian
governments. Uzbekistanand People's Movement of Uzbekistan is one of the best
examples for this claim.
2. The Republic of Uzbekistan
The republic of
Uzbekistan is one of the six states that have been establishedin Central Asiaafter Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
in collapsed 1991. It has
the largest population in
Central Asia region with
more than 30 million and it has a great field at 450.000 km2[3].
Uzbekistan have
been governed by Islam Kerimov since the independence at 1991 and he has been
president for 25 years. He has won all elections and in the last elections, he
has won more than 90% percentage of the votes.[4]According
to research done by Freedom Houseto determine level of democracy,Uzbekistan has
the lowest score in Eurasian countries list.[5]
2.1
Civil Society and Democracy in Uzbekistan
Except
relatively liberal period in the first years of independence in Uzbekistan,
state did not allow civil society to develop.[6]
Non-governmental organizations are also under strict control like political
parties. It may be essential to assess qualities of these organizations
according to whether they have political aims or not.
These are the
examples of the folk’s disapproval of the regime: The bombing attacks in 1999
where 16 lost their lives in Tashkent, the suicide blasts killed more than 50
in Andican in 2000 and civil rebellion in which nearly 800 people were killed
in Andican in 2005.
In 2004, a law
was enacted to take the
payments to NGOs under state control.[7]
Non-governmental organizations which work with finance from foreign resources
were closed via various excuses with the court decisions. The first example is
banning the activities of Open Society Institute of George Soros. In addition,
Eurasia Foundation decided to stop its activities itself, not to have the same
experience of prohibition. US originated Republican Institute and Uzbekistan
branches of foreign presses like Internews, BBC, RFE/RL were also closed down
their Uzbekistan branches.[8]
2.2. Uzbekistan Civil Commotion Movement (UCCM)
Muhammed Salih
is a politician and intellectual having a great influence on gaining the
independence of Uzbekistan. He established Birlik Movement in 1988 and Erk
Party in 1990. He lost his first election in 1991 against Islam Kerimov and these activities of him was found dangerous
for the new authoritarian regime and for formation of Uzbek nation and he was
forced to leave his country in the first year of independence. Firstly, he went
to Turkey and he also lived in Germany, Sweden, the USA.
The
representatives of Uzbekistan opponents came together in a meeting held in
Berlin, the capital of Germany in May 2011 and they established Uzbekistan
Civil Commotion Movement.The movement succeeded in establishing organization
mainly in Turkey also in, Norway Sweden, Canada and Russia[9]. Civil
Movement focuses on preventing breaking of human rights, freedom, justice, andaims
to establish strong civil society based on freedom, justice and law and it
works to attract
international attention in this way.
3. The Effect of UCCM to Uzbekistan Foreign Policy
Muhammed Salih
have established and worked in Birlik Movement and Erk Movement. Then, his UCCM became the most effective political movement outside the
Uzbekistan on Uzbekistan’s
foreign policy after
Uzbekistan Islamic Movement.
Muhammed Salih
and UCCM have some effects on Uzbek Foreign Policy. These effects can be
explored in Uzbekistan-Turkey, Uzbekistan-The USA and Uzbekistan-Russia
relations. 1990s were critical years for Uzbekistan government. Because it targeted
building a strong Uzbek nation and it wanted to obtain securityand sustainability
of the regime. Effects of these politic decisions to domestic politics were
observed as deactivation of opponents and sharing of some authority with
tribes.For instance,some ministries and intelligence agency, were shared
between tribes and Kerimov's relatives.
Muhammed Salih
left his country in 1993 and he took refuge to Turkey; however, this affected
Turkey and Uzbekistan relations negatively and he was deported from Turkey.
After this problem, Turkey and Uzbekistan relations could not be improved until
2014.
Turkey condemned
events in Andican Civil Rebellion in 2005 and relationships got worse.[10] At the same year, in December of
2014, Uzbek opponent Abdullah Buhari killed in Zeytinburnu in Istanbul.
According to Turkish news, a hit list were found in investigation, Muhammed
Salih and his son Timur Salih were written in this list; thus, security
measurements were increased.[11]As
the result of theseevents,
Muhammed Salih and UCCM can gain importance in Turkey and Uzbekistan
relationshipsand have power to effect relations of the two country.
Uzbekistan and
The USA relations were not stable pattern between 1991 (independent year of
Uzbekistan) and 2001 (terrorist attacks 11st of September).[12]
Uzbek political decisions were efficient on this situation. For instance,
opponents as Muhammed Salih were perceived as an enemy by Uzbek governments and
they thought that the USA, Russia, Turkey, etc. can use these movements for
their own political aims. Together Muhammed Salih, TahirYoldaş and
CumaNamangani also can be shown as examples of these opponents.
After the
occupation of Afghanistan in 2001, Orange Revolution occurred in 2004 in
Ukraine. Then, movements spread to Kirghizstan named Tulip Revolution in 2005.After
that political turmoil Muhammed Salih accepted as threat to regime andperception
that these movements were supported by the USA, lead to stronger emphasis of
democracy and human rights in the country. Those events annoyed Kerimov
government. Furthermore,as precautionary measure for colourful revolutions, Andican
events,where many people killed, was protested by the USA and other states[13].They
advised to Uzbekistan for democratic reforms, freedom and economic reforms.[14] The USA thought to use UCCM for
regional politicsat that time; however they seem to lay off this decision when they occupied
Afghanistan because Uzbekistan's strategic position gained a greater importance. Thus, the
USA hasappeared to give up its political slogan: Freedom, democracy and
economic reforms for Uzbekistan. This idea can
be supported by the USA’s removal of Uzbekistan from 'Dangerous Countries List'[15].
UCCM has less effecting capability on Russia and Uzbekistan relations.Although it is clear that Uzbekistan-Russia relations have
enhanced after Andican Rebellion, undoubtedly Uzbekistan also began to be annoyed
from increasing Russian effect in the region[16].
However, it should be thought that Uzbekistan have balanced foreign policybetween
the USA and Russia since it obtained independence.
Russia is not the political power that may disturb
political stability via revolutions.
Rather than Russia, Muhammed Salih and UCCM have been supported by the
USA, European Countries and Turkey. Uzbekistan-Russia relations are balanced
and when imperial effects of Russia are perceived, Uzbek politicians quickly
undermine the relations. Although Arab Spring Movements are expected to trigger
spread inCentral-Asia, authoritarian regimes in the region have not allowed
such possibility until today.
Although Muhammed Salih told that Arab Spring showed
that armed struggle has been legitimated[17],
UCCM does not have capability to start such a movement and obtain necessary international
support.
Conclusion
Civil society is
an important factor incontemporary international relations system. It can be
observed in theinternational system, it is clear that states that have strong
civil society have a strong position in the world politics.
UCCM is both
contemporary and unique example about relation of non-governmental
organizations and international relations. In this perspective, there are three
relationships between Uzbekistan and the USA, Turkey and Russia. These
relationships specify Uzbek foreign policy and domestic policy. Arguably, Uzbek
foreign policy designed to achieve balance between the USA and Russia
relations. Asa result of this situation, importance of UCCM can decrease or increase.
This example
shows that non-governmental organizations are tools in the modern international
relations. States tend to use these organizations in their regional and the
world politics. UCCM has a significant role in Uzbekistan’s foreign policyboth
today and in the future. Because, the USA have not finished Afghanistan occupation
and Russia have also want to sustain its influence in Central Asia region.
Therefore, the role of UCCM can increase more and more in upcoming years.
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