Articles
Tajikistan’s authorities report yearly on economic growth, an increase in gross domestic product (GDP) and higher incomes for the population. However, people say they do not feel the improvements in living conditions, and the nominal increase in wages is being eroded by inflation.
In Tajikistan, it is difficult for people with disabilities to realize their potential for various reasons. First and foremost, this is due to the lack of an accessible environment in most cities and districts and the inability to move around on their own. It is also difficult for them to find a job, in a country where unemployment rates are high and among physically fit people.
Kyrgyzstan has faced strong pressure on freedom of speech and civic space. Parliament members and presidential administration have re-launched their initiatives on tightening control over the media and non-profit non-governmental organisations.
The second half of May was a tense period of waiting for the presidential election results not only for Türkiye, but also for Central Asian states. The possible change of the leader of the Republic of Türkiye has made members of the Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) once again assess the value of their political and economic relations with Ankara ruled by one person for 20 years. The reporter of CABAR.asia spoke to political analysts of Central Asian states about it. Even after the convincing victory of Recep Tayyip, we are still interested in what our experts have to say to our question, “Who, if not Erdogan?”
The Kyrgyz public feels perplexed about the attempt to exonerate the runaway president Kurmanbek Bakiev. It is also reluctant to accept his predecessor – already exonerated Askar Akayev. Normalisation of such controversial persons and manipulation by public memory have been made possible due to some gaps in public consciousness. According to experts, critical historical events, which caused the overthrow of the regimes of Akayev and Bakiev, still need to be assessed in terms of law and politics.
Young people in Uzbekistan, just as in other countries, try to express themselves in different ways. In the cities of the country, you can meet emo, goths, rockers, anime and cosplayers, gamers, etc. But their outward differences shock the population of Uzbekistan, and many confuse them with the LGBTQ community. They are bullied, harassed, and kidnapped because of these differences.
Generally, private publishing houses translate books into Kyrgyz in Kyrgyzstan. They do this at their own cost and by themselves. According to experts, the situation could get better with the state’s assistance and with improved status of the Kyrgyz language in the country.
In 2019, Kyrgyzstan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. One of its items is equal access to education, regardless of disabilities and abilities. However, it is on paper only.
The majority of the population in the country is favourable to the adoption of the new version of the Constitution, stating that many citizens’ proposals have been taken into account. However, those who had hoped for a continuation of democratic reforms are disappointed with the subsequent developments, believing that the main objective was to extend the term of office of the incumbent president.
The society of Kazakhstan is often blamed for immaturity. Authorities tend to call civil protests marginal, and blame people for dependency from time to time. However, urban activism that has been widespread in recent years in Astana has become the model of struggle for political participation in the city’s life and the ability of civic activists to promote public interests constructively despite difficult dialogue with authorities.