Tajiks, Kyrgyz Contend With Frontier Issues
Region: TajikistanRecent clash shows how niggling resentments can suddenly explode. By Altynai Myrzabekova, Nargis Hamrabaeva - Central Asia RCA Issue 702, 21 May 13 When Tajikistan’s president Imomali Rahmon holds talks in Kyrgyzstan next week, a recent clash on the border between t... more
Views: 120Future Tajik Political Force Detained
Region: TajikistanFormer minister Zayd Saidov faces a range of charges a month after he launched a political party. By Abdumalik Kadirov A month after launching a new political party in Tajikistan, former industry minister Zayd Saidov has been arrested. His prosecution looks like a way of stopping him in his tracks before he can build up enough power to present a challenge to the current system. Saido... more
Views: 153Tajikistan to Ban Marriage Between First Cousins
Region: TajikistanFormal prohibition unlikely to stamp out widespread tradition. By Siyovush Qosimzoda A proposal to ban marriage between first cousins in order to reduce the number of babies born with genetic disorders is proving unpopular in Tajikistan, where such matches are traditional. Saodat Amirshoeva, a member of parliament and one of the architects of the bill, says studies conducted by the Tajik he... more
Views: 416Putin Makes A Breakthrough in Tajikistan
Region: Tajikistan
Long-awaited deal finally reached, allowing Moscow to keep forces close to Afghan border. By Galim Faskhutdinov - After months of stalled talks on the future of Russian troops based in Tajikistan, President Vladimir Putin secured an agreement on a visit to Dushanbe on October 5. Observers were expecting Putin’s arrival to help... more
Views: 957Government Special Forces Believed to Be Responsible for Attack on Local Leader
Region: Tajikistan
In Badakhshan, many believe local strongman was killed by special forces, though government denies involvement. By Lola Olimova Khorog, the main town in Tajikistan’s remote southeastern Badakhshan region, remained tense on August 23 as protests entered a second day following the death of an influential local leader. Many demonstrators stayed outside the local gov... more
Views: 1169Recognition Awards May 2012 | Homophobia Endemic in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
Region: Tajikistan
This article was chosen as one of the best published so far in 2012 on Ground Report. The winners received a prize of $60, which comes from an anonymous donor. Prejudic, abuse and fear of attacks keeps LGBT community in shadows. By Yevgenia Kim, Yekaterina Shoshina, Dina Tokbaeva, Umed Olimov, Olimbek Olimov, Mehrangez Tursunzoda When Alisher’s father discovered his so... more
Views: 810Tajikistan: The Economics of Drug Trade in a Poor Country
Region: TajikistanWritten by Alexander Sodiqov It sometimes takes a story published in a foreign magazine to spark a discussion in a society where local media is tightly controlled. In Tajikistan, it took an article run by the The Economist to trigger a conversation on news websites about corruption among the country’s officials and their involvement in drug trade. The article, titled ‘Drugs in Tajikistan: Addicted&rsq... more
Views: 978Gas Row Highlights Tajik-Uzbek Tensions
Region: TajikistanDispute over fuel supply resolved for now, but angry rhetoric reflects longstanding mistrust. By Yulia Goryaynova, Galim Faskhutdinov, Saule Mukhametrakhimova Just when relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan seemed to be at breaking-point, both countries took a step back and signed a new energy deal. Uzbekistan cut supplies of natural gas to its neighbour on April 1... more
Views: 1022Tajikistan's Limited Options
Region: TajikistanAt home, the government confines appointments to circle of insiders, while abroad the country has few real friends. By Lola Olimova - Tajikistan’s government is incapable of making the changes needed to take the country forward because it is not geared up to hiring the best and brightest, and because its external relationships with key regional states are troubled, a leading analys... more
Views: 1139Repairing Broken Tajik-Uzbek Relationship
Region: Tajikistan
Narrow vision of nation-state encourages alienation, obstructs solutions to common problems. By Shahodat Saibnazarova - Central Asia Of the five Central Asian states, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are arguable the most entwined with one another, culturally and economically. Yet despite – or perhaps because of – their proximity, they have consistently had the worst of relationships. Recent expressions of t... more
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