CABAR.asia 28.12.18

December – time to sum up the year’s results. By the end of 2018, in addition to journalistic materials, several dozens of analytical articles were published on the CABAR.asia portal. We hope that they have revealed actual issues and questions of the Central Asian region, gave a look at some things from other angles, broadened the horizons, and simply helped to spend time with benefit. If you missed something worthwhile, we present you a review of the eight best analytical articles of 2018.
(more…)

The expiring year was filled with pivotal events for Central Asia: currency rate fluctuations and new vectors of diplomatic relations, conflicts on religious ground and violations of children’s right for education, destruction of historical objects and complexity of the pension system.
(more…)

Darina Solod 25.12.18

Raids on Baptists, refusal to register religious organisations, persecutions and surveillance over representatives of certain faiths – all these facts have been reported in Uzbekistan by human rights activists despite the reforms declared by the authorities. There’s an opinion that persecutions of Protestants become more intensive under the pretext of countering missionary activities.
(more…)

The disciplinary committee of the judicial council has been operating in Kyrgyzstan for slightly more than one year. According to the law, it reviews cases against judges who have violated the law. However, according to lawyers and human rights defenders, the agency that should make impartial judgements has turned to be prejudiced and politically charged.
(more…)

«Sooronbay Jeenbekov had time to take a close look at the ups and downs of more than one ruler. Having come to power, he cannot but be aware that power is both honor and burden. To adequately stay in it, it is necessary to go through more than one cay of dilemmas. The first year of the presidency has already presented several challenges. Some have been passed, the most are still to come» – expert Elmira Nogoibaeva noted in her article written specifically for CABAR.asia.

(more…)

The trans-Caspian transport route is an opportunity for Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to reduce the oil dependence of their economies using freight transportation from China to Europe. These countries feel optimistic about it, however, there’s an opinion that this route cannot compete with other routes, even longer ones.
(more…)

In some districts of Tajikistan, the old traditions of early engagements are still alive. 12-13 years old girls are betrothed and, most often, they do not even know the groom. Nevertheless, he decides whether a girl can receive further education or even finish the school.
(more…)

CABAR.asia 18.12.18

IWPR Tajikistan hosted online conference “Situation in Gorno-Badakhshan: External Perspective”. The leading experts of analytical and research centers of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, political scientists and journalists discussed the situation in Tajik Badakhshan and suggested their vision of the possible solutions to existing problems. (more…)

Alisher Ilkhamov 17.12.18

The findings of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) regarding cotton-picking in Uzbekistan contradict numerous cases of forced labour reported by human rights activists and journalists.
(more…)

“In the recent two years the behaviour of political elite of Uzbekistan has slightly changed. They have become more open and willing to build a dialogue with the population in a new way, stopped being frightened of holding a dialogue with the international community, and have even accepted the representatives of the new generation.  Nevertheless, the elite should get rid of old methods of administration and establish effective dialogue with the civil society in order to implement the reforms qualitatively”, – expert Yuriy Sarukhanyan wrote in his article for CABAR.asia.
Yuriy Sakukhanyan — participant of the CABAR.asia School of Analytics

(more…)