The five states of Central Asia had statehood thrust upon them in 1991. None have the strong sense of country that for example Estonia or Armenia retained throughout the Soviet period.
None are really pro-civil society, or seriously committed to freedom of expression.
The governments theoretically allow political parties, but they're emasculated. They theoretically hold elections, but the outcome is forgone. Though it's my impression this is widespread in the world, my experience is not wide enough to make sweeping generalizations. At any rate, the processes going on Indonesia now lead one to believe that it is different. In 1990 people in the NIS saw an opening and began to create local TV private stations.