Central Asia

Tajik Pensions Lag Far Behind Cost of Living

Pensioners in Tajikistan are finding life increasingly tough as their benefits fail to keep pace with inflation, Firuza Karabazova reports.

Suicide Cases Rising in Tajik Badakhstan

More and more young people are taking their own lives in Tajikistan’s mountainous southwest, and no one can really say why.

Access to Information Comes at a Price in Tajikistan

New rules requiring people to pay government institutions for advice and information have caused anger in Tajikistan, Central Asia’s poorest state.

Turkmen-Chinese Gas Pipeline Launched

Russian Leader Due in Turkmenistan

Turkmen NGOs Face Tighter Financial Regulation

New rules designed to prevent money-laundering could be used to monitor and obstruct civil society groups.

Uzbek Pension Payments Slip Further Behind

Alarm as Turkmen Migration Law Gets Even Tougher

Uzbekistan Downplays Drug Problem

Government accused of underestimating number of heroin users and failing to support treatment programmes.

Female Ex-Cons Struggle to Find Jobs in Tajikistan

Poverty and social stigma contribute to high re-offending rate among women released from jail.