Central Asia

Uzbekistan’s state prosecutor requested long jail terms for 22 activists and journalists accused of fomenting the July unrest that shook Nukus, the administrative centre of Uzbekistan's north-western region of Karakalpakstan in July 2022. © Uzbekistan's Supreme Court

Prosecutor Demands Long Sentences for Karakalpakstan Protesters

Trial of 22 defendants enters final stages amid concerns of bias and lack of transparency.

20 Jan 23

A mosque in the village of Karakemer, in Kazakstan’s south-eastern Jambyl province. Kazakstans laws foresee that citizens can be punished for dissemination of religious materials, even if they are of a non-extremist nature. This even extends to selling a copy of the Quran or the New Testament on classified sites. © Petr Trotsenko RFE/RL

Kazakstan: Fined for a Book of Bible Stories

Citizens can be punished for dissemination of religious materials, even if of a non-extremist nature.

13 Jan 23

On December 23, 2022, Kazak President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inaugurated the Tagzym memorial in the country's largest city of Almaty. Meaning bowing in Kazak, the Tagzym honour the 238 victims of the unrest that swept Kazakstan in early January 2022. © Kazakhstan's presidential office

A Year on From Kazakstan’s Bloody January

Murky investigation and lack of accountability followed violence that scarred a nation.

11 Jan 23

Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev votes in the the snap presidential election on November 20, 2022. © Official website of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Akorda.kz

Kazakstan: Same President, New Reforms?

The incumbent has promised change, but prospects for a more democratic system are not promising.

22 Nov 22

Members of the Russian military. © Igor Rudenko/Wikimedia

Tajik Migrants Coerced Into Russian Army

Reports grow that foreign workers are being forced to join Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

17 Nov 22

Kremlin's influence over Centra Asia seems to be waning following Russia's war against Ukraine. © Julmin/Creative Commons

Will We See a Sovereign Central Asia?

As Moscow’s grip falters the region is seeing intriguing moves towards collective agreement and integration.

14 Nov 22

Kazak president Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. © Andrea Verdelli/Pool/Getty Images

Kazakstan’s Election: No Chance for Competition

Analysts see this is as opportunity for the president to assert himself outside the shadow of the country’s first leader.

8 Nov 22

Participants of the free speech rally in Bishkek.

Kyrgyzstan: Towards Total Media Control?

Vaguely-worded legislation introduces potential restrictions on wide range of outlets

1 Nov 22

Soldiers march on the first anniversary of the signing of the decree on the annexation of the Crimea by the Russian Federation, on March 18, 2015 in Sevastopol, Crimea. © Alexander Aksakov/Getty Images

Central Asia: How Russia Sends Migrants to War

Foreign workers are being coerced or deceived into signing up for military service as Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues.

1 Nov 22

The sign of Isfara, a town in northern Tajikistan, on the border with Kyrgyzstan. The town lies in the homonymous valley which is crossed by the Isfara river. Media reported that the clashes in September broke out along the frontier between Tajikistan's Sughd and Kyrgyzstan's southern Batken provinces because of a dispute over a reservoir and pump, claimed by both sides, on the Isfara river. © IWPR

“We Don’t Want War,” Say Kyrgyz and Tajik Citizens

Over 100 people died in renewed violence along the border in September 2022 as long-standing issues remain unresolved.

24 Oct 22

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