Central Asia

Turkmenbashi Set to Crush Dissent

An ambiguous new law may allow President Niazov to lock up anyone found guilty of disagreeing with his policies.

22 Feb 05

Government pledges to stop private companies ripping off the state and abusing their workforce.

22 Feb 05

Survivors of campaign against Muslim rebels say they've been neglected by the authorities.

22 Feb 05

Ban on students buying foreign currency likely to stop many completing their education abroad.

22 Feb 05

Tradition and poverty forcing many young girls into early marriage.

22 Feb 05

Unscrupulous hunters and traders are making a killing selling endangered species on to the wealthy owners of private zoos.

22 Feb 05

Promotion of foreign minister Rashid Meredov to deputy premier seen as part of government effort to reposition itself internationally.

22 Feb 05

Patients in the Aksy region are "giving blood" as the price of leaving hospital.

22 Feb 05

Campaigners see proposed end to capital punishment for women as important step on road to death penalty moratorium.

22 Feb 05

Impoverished Uzbek women are finding it so hard to get by that they are abandoning their children.

22 Feb 05

Support local journalists