Cautious Welcome for Islamic Banking
Under new rules approved late last month, banks in Kyrgyzstan can run their operations according to Islamic financial principles if they want to.
Azeri Enclave Puts Lid on Dissenting Voices
Locals in isolated Nakichevan say authorities there have ways of ensuring complaints don’t reach Baku.
No Legal Rights for Second Wives
Women who enter into Muslim marriages as second or third wives have no rights to property under Tajikistan’s secular laws, which do not allow polygamy.</p><p>
Parties Prepare for Start of Karadzic Trial
Proceedings, though, are unlikely to start before mid August.
Water Access Key Concern for Tajik Border Villages
Kamari Ahrorzoda reports from the Tajik village of Hojai Alo, where residents say they are denied access to water and pasture lands.</p><p>
Kyrgyz, Tajiks Place High Value on Scrap of Land
Debate over Tajiks giving Kyrgyz a short stretch of road places spotlight on broader questions of land and borders in Fergana Valley.
Hopes and Doubts Surround Obama Afghan Strategy
Despite official cheer at the new American plan for Afghanistan, many remain sceptical about the direction Washington is taking.
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Global Voices: Europe/Eurasia
Highlights from IWPR’s Central Asia network of analysis and investigations.
The construction of the Qosh Tepa canal in Afghanistan is causing water shortages in southern Uzbekistan, while in Kyrgyzstan the government is considering the construction of a nuclear power plant. In Kazakstan, conservation activists are working to save the Central Asian tortoise from extinction.
Elsewhere, CABAR delves into the efforts by Central Asian authorities to detect, reduce and prevent statelessness across the region.
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Ukraine Justice: “Reporting the Story is Just the Start”
Journalists need training and support to properly cover war crimes trials.
Ugandan Women Pay the Price of Exploitation
Activists warn that vulnerable domestic workers risk abuse, often returning with serious health conditions.
Harsh Victory at Position X
Commitment, sacrifice and luck secured a vital early win in the south-eastern campaign, but can Ukrainian forces press on?
Behind the Wheel in a Macho City
Some women face Adana's male-dominated traffic chaos for a living.
Life in the Shadows for Armenia’s Transgender Community
Recent murder highlights widespread discrimination and violence against LGBTI people.
Interview: The War on Disinformation
Open source intelligence (OSINT) can provide facts – but impatient, angry audiences often prefer opinions.