Nikita Khrushchev, reflecting on the consequences of his "thaw," expressed concerns: "By deciding to embrace the 'thaw' and consciously moving towards it, the leadership of the country, including myself, was simultaneously wary: we feared that it might lead to a flood that would overwhelm us and in which we would struggle." These words seem particularly relevant when we talk about the current situation in Kyrgyzstan.
The Khrushchev thaw, which engulfed the USSR from the time of Stalin's death in 1953 until Brezhnev's rise in 1964, was a period of significant changes in the socio-political life of the country. It was characterized by the process of de-Stalinization and a push towards democratization, which included the easing of censorship, the restoration of the reputations of the repressed, and a vibrant cultural development. What path will Kyrgyzstan take in its "thaw," expected to begin in February 2026, 70 years after Khrushchev's reforms?
After Stalin's death, society experienced mixed feelings. On one hand, he remained a symbol of victory over fascism and the restoration of the country. On the other hand, millions suffered under the tyranny of his regime and yearned for freedom. Khrushchev's arrival, seen as a hope for change, allowed people to laugh at politics without fear of arrest.
An important milestone of the Khrushchev thaw was the XX Congress of the CPSU in February 1956, where Khrushchev delivered a de-Stalinization report, raising issues of cruelty and repression carried out by the previous regime. He condemned the practices of detaining and executing innocent people, marking a significant moment in history. Comparatively, the President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, commenting on recent events, noted that abuses also occurred within the framework of the State Committee for National Security (GKNB).
Japarov, like Khrushchev, understands that in different historical periods, harsh measures may be justified, but as the situation changes, so must the approaches. Politician Felix Kulov emphasizes that the increasing powers of security forces sometimes cross boundaries, creating an atmosphere of fear. In this context, Deputy Prime Minister Edil Baisalov speaks about the necessity of clear distribution of roles and powers to achieve the rule of law.
President Japarov is taking on the powers outlined in the new Constitution, striving to eliminate uncertainties and instability in governance. He is softening harsh methods and introducing elements of "thaw" into society. Interestingly, Khrushchev was not fond of the term "thaw," associating it with mud and slush, but that is another matter.
It is important to recognize that a key aspect of this "thaw" is the warning against a potential "flood," which Khrushchev once worried about. In the 1950s, after the release of many political prisoners, crime rates rose in the country, and society liberalized to such an extent that it ultimately lost stability.
Will Kyrgyzstan find itself in a similar situation, where released individuals include criminal elements? Will the courts cope with the influx of cases, and will they be able to distinguish those who deserve forgiveness from those who must be punished? Will "free and independent" forces, oriented towards foreign funding, undermine the foundations of the state?
Nevertheless, there will be no return to the past. Kyrgyzstan is opening a new chapter in its history. "Sometimes you think: it's all over, the end. But in reality, this is the beginning. Just the beginning of another chapter" (Ilya Ehrenburg, novella "Thaw," 1954).
