It is always very interesting to see the difference in how people in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan react to similar unpopular and unjust decisions made by their governments. Such differences are very good comparison indicators of to what extent Uzbeks and Kyrgyz enjoy basic rights of democratic society (and both countries position themselves as democratic countries), such as freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, etc. This time, the difference is in peoples reaction to cutting of old beautiful trees in the center of two capitals – Tashkent and Bishkek.

Bishkek – Youth Alley. It started in early summer of 2009, when residents of the nearby apartment buildings were woken up by the loud noise of petrol-powered sows and crackle of falling trees in the Youth Alley, which is next to Filarmonia building in the heart of Bishkek. People were quick to gather and stop workers from cutting old trees. Later, neighborhood residents found out that some part of the Youth Alley was given for construction of a high building. People started organizing meetings in the Alley and asking authorities to stop cutting of old trees.

Online community of Kyrgyzstan also was against the construction of a building in the Youth Alley. Users of famous Internet forum Diesel created a thread about illegal constructions in Bishkek, where people have actively been discussing and criticizing the construction in Youth Alley.

And it works, the construction in the Alley was suspended.

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Tashkent – Amir Temur park (square). In November 11, 2009, Tashkent residents were horrified by the scene of workers actively cutting years old trees in the Amir Temur park in the heart of Tashkent. However, no one could dare to do anything to stop workers, as they had an order from “above”. Some activists could organize a small flash mob in November 21, where they lit candles to mourn the dead trees. However, the event did not change anything and was not widely covered in media, except some blogs and “blocked in Uzbekistan” web sites.

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