Central Asia

Kyrgyzstan: Southern Mayor a Tough Survivor

Seen by some as a Kyrgyz hero, Melis Myrzakmatov has fixed the roads in Osh but has not won over the large Uzbek minority.

Kazak Women Fight Maternity Pay Cuts

Activists hope campaign will prompt wider action on women's rights.

Kyrgyzstan: Public Anger, But No Revolution

Political analyst on the protests where economic concerns meet north-south rivalries

Cross-Border Trade Depressed in Afghan North

Merchants claim customs procedures at Hairatan checkpoint are riddled with corruption and red tape.

Kazak Labour Bill Sidelines Independent Unions

Opponents say measures being proposed would favour main trade union federation.

UK Plans to Use Tajikistan as Afghan Exit Route

Kazakstan: Free Speech in Danger

London event highlights use of criminal law to punish dissent.

Experts Baffled by Suicide Rate in North Tajikistan

Enclave Issues Challenge Uzbek, Kyrgyz Leaders

Fraught political relationship makes fixing local problems that much more difficult.

Kyrgyz Politician Gets Her Bride-Theft Law

It took a while, but Aynuru Altybaeva finally convinced her parliamentary colleagues that old "tradition" was criminal behaviour.