IWPR Central Asia
Institute for War & Peace Reporting
Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan have been left in a legal twilight zone by contradictory legislation and political pressure.
The health ministry has promised radical reforms to birthing hospitals, where bribes and poor service are the rule.
While the OSCE cites grave democratic shortcomings, there will be no shortage of praise from the election observers sent by former Soviet states.
With Islam Karimov determined to keep his country “stable at any price”, reform and democracy look as far away as ever.
As everyone knows who is going to win the Uzbek presidential ballot, it is not surprising that media campaigning has lacked drama and urgency.
As more and more suicides among women are attributed to violence in the home, pressure is building for a law to end the climate of impunity.
As Tajikistan faces rising numbers of addicts and a related increase in HIV infection, experts say the authorities need to stop persecuting addicts and start offering substitute therapies instead.
The hard-line president is taking no chances as he prepares to secure another mandate.
Some of those going on the Haj to Mecca complain that farming out travel arrangements to commercial firms has led to high prices and poor service.
As a potential crisis looms in Kyrgyzstan over disputed election results, many are wondering whether Omurbek Tekebaev will be able to turn it to his advantage.