Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA1771
2009-10-05 08:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: GRASS-ROOTS DEMOCRACY AT WORK
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 001771
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI KDEM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: GRASS-ROOTS DEMOCRACY AT WORK
ASTANA 00001771 001.2 OF 002
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ASTANA 001771
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI KDEM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: GRASS-ROOTS DEMOCRACY AT WORK
ASTANA 00001771 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Leader of the local non-governmental
organization "Shanyrak," Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, described on
September 29 the situation of internal migrants and his
organization's efforts to assist them. Primarily focused at the
city-level, Shanyrak is actively involved in a commission to
regularize "illegal settlements" and a conflict prevention council.
These efforts exemplify Kazakhstan's active civil society, which
works in coordination with local governments to address social
issues. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) On September 29, the Ambassador met with Asylbek
Kozhakhmetov, leader of the local non-governmental organization
"Shanyrak." Named after the district where "illegal"
residents clashed with police in July 2006 when the authorities
attempted to bulldoze approximately 400 houses, Shanyrak engages in
issues related to internal migrants and regularization of their
homes. Kozhakhmetov told the Ambassador that he has met with many
high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, but only
Almaty's new Mayor Akhmetzhan Yesimov actively responded.
SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL MIGRATION
4. (SBU) According to Kozhakhmetov, 300,000 internal migrants have
moved from rural areas to the city, and President Nazarbayev has
said that Kazakhstan's rural population will fall from 43% to 20% of
the total inhabitants. Kazakhstani law requires citizens register
their residence in order to obtain allowances and benefits,
including access to school, health care, and pensions. However,
Kozhakhmetov asserted that some migrants receive "bad land sometimes
legally, sometimes illegally," which prevents registration.
Further, some buy forged registration documents from local fixers.
To ensure legal residence, Shanyrak is pushing to organize new
micro-districts with available land and necessary infrastructure,
including schools and hospitals, where the residents will be
properly documented and registered legally.
5. (SBU) Because the current economic crisis has reduced real
estate prices, the problem of "illegal settlements is not so hot,"
Kozhakhmetov said. "Nonetheless, problems associated with internal
migration continue without any solution." Therefore, his
organization is preparing amendments to laws and organizing
educational programs. Currently, the Ministry of Social Protection
has the lead on these issues, with some involvement from the
Immigration Police, but Shanyrak is advocating for a new responsible
Agency or Ministry because of the inter-agency nature of the
problems. Kozhakhmetov asserted that the government supports such a
proposal but lacks the money due to the current economic downturn.
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
6. (SBU) Kozhakhmetov described to the Ambassador his involvement
in a public commission designed to adjudicate land claims in
Shanyrak and 15 micro-districts in the Alatau suburb of Almaty.
Unlike previous efforts, which he termed "not transparent," these
commissions individually scrutinize each land claim by examining
potential evidence, such as utility bills and photographs.
Unfortunately, Almaty disbanded its commission due to complaints by
other NGOs that demanded a piece of the action but refused to
participate effectively, Kozhakhmetov said. These organizations,
which wanted to participate in the commission, accused Shanyrak of
lying and protracting the process. According to Kozhakhmetov, the
Mayor re-established the commission with 18 representatives from
various organizations following a meeting between the two men.
7. (SBU) Kozhakhmetov also highlighted his initiative of
conflict-resolution councils to avoid a repeat of the Shanyrak
incident. Established one year ago, with Kozhakhmetov at its head,
the council in Almaty includes the Deputy Mayor and representatives
of the opposition parties, the Nur-Otan ruling party,
entrepreneurial groups, and non-governmental organizations.
Although he admitted the council's limited authority, Kozhakhmetov
underlined that it successfully stopped conflict escalation in
ASTANA 00001771 002.2 OF 002
several cases. As a result, President Nazarbayev has pledged his
support for the creation of such bodies in every region.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: A lawyer by education, Kozhakhmetov adopted the
cause of internal migrants after he represented one of the
defendants from Shanyrak. He demonstrates the responsibility that
Kazakhstani citizens take upon themselves to improve the lives of
their compatriots. The responsiveness of the city of Almaty to his
calls to address internal migrants' concerns, meanwhile, illustrates
the growing importance of grass-roots democracy in Kazakhstani
society. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN, DRL, PRM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREF SOCI KDEM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: GRASS-ROOTS DEMOCRACY AT WORK
ASTANA 00001771 001.2 OF 002
1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Not for public Internet.
2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Leader of the local non-governmental
organization "Shanyrak," Asylbek Kozhakhmetov, described on
September 29 the situation of internal migrants and his
organization's efforts to assist them. Primarily focused at the
city-level, Shanyrak is actively involved in a commission to
regularize "illegal settlements" and a conflict prevention council.
These efforts exemplify Kazakhstan's active civil society, which
works in coordination with local governments to address social
issues. END SUMMARY.
3. (SBU) On September 29, the Ambassador met with Asylbek
Kozhakhmetov, leader of the local non-governmental organization
"Shanyrak." Named after the district where "illegal"
residents clashed with police in July 2006 when the authorities
attempted to bulldoze approximately 400 houses, Shanyrak engages in
issues related to internal migrants and regularization of their
homes. Kozhakhmetov told the Ambassador that he has met with many
high-ranking officials, including the Prime Minister, but only
Almaty's new Mayor Akhmetzhan Yesimov actively responded.
SIGNIFICANT INTERNAL MIGRATION
4. (SBU) According to Kozhakhmetov, 300,000 internal migrants have
moved from rural areas to the city, and President Nazarbayev has
said that Kazakhstan's rural population will fall from 43% to 20% of
the total inhabitants. Kazakhstani law requires citizens register
their residence in order to obtain allowances and benefits,
including access to school, health care, and pensions. However,
Kozhakhmetov asserted that some migrants receive "bad land sometimes
legally, sometimes illegally," which prevents registration.
Further, some buy forged registration documents from local fixers.
To ensure legal residence, Shanyrak is pushing to organize new
micro-districts with available land and necessary infrastructure,
including schools and hospitals, where the residents will be
properly documented and registered legally.
5. (SBU) Because the current economic crisis has reduced real
estate prices, the problem of "illegal settlements is not so hot,"
Kozhakhmetov said. "Nonetheless, problems associated with internal
migration continue without any solution." Therefore, his
organization is preparing amendments to laws and organizing
educational programs. Currently, the Ministry of Social Protection
has the lead on these issues, with some involvement from the
Immigration Police, but Shanyrak is advocating for a new responsible
Agency or Ministry because of the inter-agency nature of the
problems. Kozhakhmetov asserted that the government supports such a
proposal but lacks the money due to the current economic downturn.
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS
6. (SBU) Kozhakhmetov described to the Ambassador his involvement
in a public commission designed to adjudicate land claims in
Shanyrak and 15 micro-districts in the Alatau suburb of Almaty.
Unlike previous efforts, which he termed "not transparent," these
commissions individually scrutinize each land claim by examining
potential evidence, such as utility bills and photographs.
Unfortunately, Almaty disbanded its commission due to complaints by
other NGOs that demanded a piece of the action but refused to
participate effectively, Kozhakhmetov said. These organizations,
which wanted to participate in the commission, accused Shanyrak of
lying and protracting the process. According to Kozhakhmetov, the
Mayor re-established the commission with 18 representatives from
various organizations following a meeting between the two men.
7. (SBU) Kozhakhmetov also highlighted his initiative of
conflict-resolution councils to avoid a repeat of the Shanyrak
incident. Established one year ago, with Kozhakhmetov at its head,
the council in Almaty includes the Deputy Mayor and representatives
of the opposition parties, the Nur-Otan ruling party,
entrepreneurial groups, and non-governmental organizations.
Although he admitted the council's limited authority, Kozhakhmetov
underlined that it successfully stopped conflict escalation in
ASTANA 00001771 002.2 OF 002
several cases. As a result, President Nazarbayev has pledged his
support for the creation of such bodies in every region.
8. (SBU) COMMENT: A lawyer by education, Kozhakhmetov adopted the
cause of internal migrants after he represented one of the
defendants from Shanyrak. He demonstrates the responsibility that
Kazakhstani citizens take upon themselves to improve the lives of
their compatriots. The responsiveness of the city of Almaty to his
calls to address internal migrants' concerns, meanwhile, illustrates
the growing importance of grass-roots democracy in Kazakhstani
society. END COMMENT.
HOAGLAND