Month in Review: Central Asia in November 2020
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2019/2610(Rsp
European Parliament 2014-2019 TEXTS ADOPTED P8_TA(2019)0203 Human rights situation in Kazakhstan European Parliament resolution of 14 March 2019 on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan (2019/2610(RSP)) The European Parliament, – having regard to its resolution of 12 December 2017 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part1 and to its resolution of 10 March 2016 on Freedom of Expression in Kazakhstan2, – having regard to its legislative resolution of 12 December 2017 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Kazakhstan, of the other part3, – having regard to its previous resolutions on Kazakhstan, including those of 18 April 20134 and 15 March 20125, and that of 17 September 2009 on the case of Yevgeny Zhovtis in Kazakhstan6, – having regard to the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) signed in Astana on 21 December 2015, – having regard to its resolutions of 15 December 2011 on the state of implementation of the EU Strategy for Central Asia7, and of 13 April 2016 on implementation and review of the EU-Central Asia Strategy8, 1 OJ C 369, 11.10.2018, p. 2. 2 OJ C 50, 9.2.2018, p. 38. 3 OJ C 369, 11.10.2018, p. -
Institutional Reforms Within the Framework of Central Asian Political Consolidation
Uluslararası İlişkiler ve Diplomasi Dergisi/Journal of International Relations and Diplomacy Cilt/Volume: 3 Sayı/Issue: 1 Mart/March 2020 ss./pp.24-43 INSTITUTIONAL REFORMS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF CENTRAL ASIAN POLITICAL CONSOLIDATION * Asst. Prof. Kaan DİYARBAKIRLIOGLU ABSTRACT Stagnation in the Soviet Union that began in the 1970s could not be prevented despite all the reform efforts (perestroika and glastnost) made by Gorbachev who came to power in 1985, and the Soviet Union has entered a process of disintegration after 1987. After that, Central Asian Republics gained their independence and attempted to make a change and transformation in their institutional structures in order to integrate into the international system. This study focus on the examples of Kyrgyzstan, which has a political development that is unique to Central Asia, Kazakhstan, which has a pioneering role with the rapid transformations it creates in both political and economic institutions, Turkmenistan, which has been isolated from the outside World, Uzbekistan, which performs this transformation progressively and Tajikistan that have a distinct character due to the civil war it has been through. As a result of this study, it can be stated that these Central Asian states are not ready for a parliamentary form of government due to existing national, ethnic and religious divisions, which can lead to destabilization of the political system and prevailing of dominant clans. However, they need a stable presidential power, which will allow to avoid crises like the revolutions of 2005 and 2010 in the future. Key Words: Soviet Union, Central Asia, Political Institutions, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan JEL Codes: F55, N45, H77 ORTA ASYA’DA SİYASİ KONSOLİDASYON ÇERÇEVESİNDE KURUMSAL REFORMLAR ÖZET 1970'lerde başlayan Sovyetler Birliği'ndeki durgunluk, 1985'te iktidara gelen Gorbaçov'un yaptığı tüm reform çabalarına (perestroika ve glastnost) rağmen engellenemedi ve Sovyetler Birliği 1987'den sonra bir dağılma sürecine girdi. -
Observation of the Early Parliamentary Elections in Kazakhstan (20 March 2016)
http://assembly.coe.int Doc. 14061 12 May 2016 Observation of the early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan (20 March 2016) Election observation report Ad hoc Committee of the Bureau Rapporteur: Mr Jordi XUCLÀ, Spain, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Contents Page 1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................... 1 2. Legal framework and political context....................................................................................................... 2 3. Administration of elections, registration of voters and candidates............................................................. 3 4. Election campaign and media environment...............................................................................................4 5. Election day.............................................................................................................................................. 5 6. Conclusions and recommendations.......................................................................................................... 6 Appendix 1 – Composition of the ad hoc committee..................................................................................... 7 Appendix 2 – Programme of the observation of the early parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan.................8 Appendix 3 – Statement by the International Election Observation Mission................................................10 1. Introduction 1. The Republic -
Doing Business in Kazakhstan
DOING BUSINESS 2021 IN KAZAKHSTAN Doing Business in Kazakhstan 2021 Baker McKenzie – CIS, Limited Almaty office Samal Towers, 8th Floor 97 Zholdasbekov Street Almaty, Kazakhstan 050051 Phone: +7 727 3 300 500 Facsimile: +7 727 258 40 00 [email protected] www.bakermckenzie.com The information in this brochure is for informational purposes only and it may not reflect the most current legal developments, judgments or settlements. This information is not offered as legal or any other advice on any particular matter. The Firm and the contributing authors expressly disclaim all liability to any person in respect of anything and in respect of the consequences of anything done or omitted wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the contents of Baker McKenzie’s “Doing Business in Kazakhstan” brochure. No client or other reader should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any matter contained in this brochure without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances. Doing Business in Kazakhstan Table of Contents 1 Kazakhstan — an overview ..................................................... 1 1.1 Geography .................................................................... 1 1.2 Population .................................................................... 1 1.3 History.......................................................................... 1 1.4 Government and political system ................................. 2 1.5 Economy ..................................................................... -
Uzbekistan: Recent Developments and U.S
Order Code RS21238 Updated May 2, 2005 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Uzbekistan: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests Jim Nichol Specialist in Russian and Eurasian Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division Summary Uzbekistan is an emerging Central Asian regional power by virtue of its relatively large population, energy and other resources, and location in the heart of the region. It has made limited progress in economic and political reforms, and many observers criticize its human rights record. This report discusses U.S. policy and assistance. Basic facts and biographical information are provided. This report may be updated. Related products include CRS Issue Brief IB93108, Central Asia, updated regularly. U.S. Policy1 According to the Administration, Uzbekistan is a “key strategic partner” in the Global War on Terrorism and “one of the most influential countries in Central Asia.” However, Uzbekistan’s poor record on human rights, democracy, and religious freedom complicates its relations with the United States. U.S. assistance to Uzbekistan seeks to enhance the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security of Uzbekistan; diminish the appeal of extremism by strengthening civil society and urging respect for human rights; bolster the development of natural resources such as oil; and address humanitarian needs (State Department, Congressional Presentation for Foreign Operations for FY2006). Because of its location and power potential, some U.S. policymakers argue that Uzbekistan should receive the most U.S. attention in the region. 1 Sources for this report include the Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS), Central Eurasia: Daily Report; Eurasia Insight; RFE/RL Central Asia Report; the State Department’s Washington File; and Reuters, Associated Press (AP), and other newswires. -
Threats and Attacks Against Human Rights Defenders and the Role Of
Uncalculated Risks Threats and attacks against human rights defenders and the role of development financiers Uncalculated Risks Threats and attacks against human rights defenders and the role of development financiers May 2019 This report was authored by With case studies and contributions from And with the generous support of Uncalculated Risks Threats and attacks against human rights defenders and the role of development financiers © Coalition for Human Rights in Development, May 2019 The views expressed herein, and any errors or omissions are solely the author’s. We additionally acknowledge the valuable insights and assistance of Valerie Croft, Amy Ekdawi, Lynne-Samantha Severe, Kendyl Salcito, Julia Miyahara, Héctor Herrera, Spencer Vause, Global Witness, Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens, and the various participants of the Defenders in Development Campaign in its production. This report is an initiative of the Defenders in Development Campaign which engages in capacity building and collective action to ensure that communities and marginalized groups have the information, resources, protection and power to shape, participate in, or oppose development activities, and to hold development financiers, governments and companies accountable. We utilize advocacy and campaigning to change how development banks and other actors operate and to ensure that they respect human rights and guarantee a safe enabling environment for public participation. More information: www.rightsindevelopment.org/uncalculatedrisks [email protected] This publication is a CC-BY-SA – Attribution-ShareAlike creative commons license – the text may be used free of charge for the purposes of advocacy, campaigning, education, and research, provided that the source is acknowledged in full. The license holder requests that all such use be registered with them for impact assessment purposes. -
Central Asia in January 2021
Month in Review: Central Asia in January 2021 The first month of 2021 in the countries of Central Asia began with parliamentary and presidential elections in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the purchase of various vaccines for coronavirus, periodic protests, and an ambiguous epidemiological situation in different countries. The analytical platform CABAR.asia presents a brief overview of the major events in the region over the past month. Follow us on LinkedIn Kazakhstan General epidemiological situation In January, compared to December, there is an increase in the incidence of coronavirus by 10 percent in Kazakhstan, from 23.1 thousand to 25.6 thousand cases. The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of coronavirus infection in Kazakhstan, according to official data, amounted to 187 970. Where 2,556 people died (seven deaths were registered on January 31). Cancellation of strict quarantine in Almaty Almaty has moved from the “yellow” to the “green” zone in terms of the rate of detection of those infected with coronavirus. The city stayed in the “yellow” zone for one day – January 30. The severity of quarantine measures depends on which zone (“red”, “yellow” or “green”) the city or region is located in. Earlier, on January 28, Almaty was in the “red” zone, the sanitary inspector of the city Zhandarbek Bekshin decided to tighten quarantine measures from February 1. Among the measures taken were the mandatory hospitalization of patients with any form of coronavirus – mild or severe, a new schedule of catering from 9 am to 8 pm, a ban on work on the weekends. Bekshin also decided to suspend the work of cinemas and theaters, which had Month in Review: Central Asia in January 2021 begun work in October 2020. -
Uzbekistan 2016 Human Rights Report
UZBEKISTAN 2016 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Uzbekistan is an authoritarian state with a constitution that provides for a presidential system with separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch under former President Islam Karimov dominated political life and exercised nearly complete control over the other branches of government. On September 2, President Karimov died in office and new elections took place on December 4. Former prime minister Shavkat Mirziyoyev won with 88 percent of the vote. The Organization for Security and Cooperation’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (OSCE/ODHIR), in its preliminary election observation mission report, noted that “limits on fundamental freedoms undermine political pluralism and led to a campaign devoid of genuine competition.” The report also identified positive changes such as the election’s increased transparency, service to disabled voters, and unfettered access for 600 international observers. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control over the security forces, but security services permeated civilian structures, and their interaction was opaque, which made it difficult to define the scope and limits of civilian authority. The most significant human rights problems included torture and abuse of detainees by security forces, denial of due process and fair trial, and an inability of citizens to choose their government in free, fair, and periodic elections. Other continuing human rights problems included incommunicado and prolonged detention; harsh and sometimes life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary arrest and detention; and widespread restrictions on religious freedom, including harassment of religious minority group members and continued imprisonment of believers of all faiths. -
Constructing the Uzbek State
Constructing the Uzbek State 17_575_Laruelle.indb 1 11/14/17 2:00 PM CONTEMPORARY CENTRAL ASIA: SOCIETIES, POLITICS, AND CULTURES Series Editor Marlene Laruelle, George Washington University At the crossroads of Russia, China, and the Islamic world, Central Asia re- mains one of the world’s least-understood regions, despite being a significant theater for muscle-flexing by the great powers and regional players. This series, in conjunction with George Washington University’s Central Asia Program, offers insight into Central Asia by providing readers unique access to state-of-the-art knowledge on the region. Going beyond the media clichés, the series inscribes the study of Central Asia into the social sciences and hopes to fill the dearth of works on the region for both scholarly knowledge and undergraduate and graduate student education. Titles in Series Afghanistan and Its Neighbors after the NATO Withdrawal, edited by Amin Saikal and Kirill Nourzhanov Integration in Energy and Transport: Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, by Alexandros Petersen Kazakhstan in the Making: Legitimacy, Symbols, and Social Changes, edited by Marlene Laruelle The Origins of the Civil War in Tajikistan: “For the Soul, Blood, Homeland, and Honor,” by Tim Epkenhans Rewriting the Nation in Modern Kazakh Literature: Elites and Narratives, by Diana T. Kudaibergenova The Central Asia–Afghanistan Relationship: From Soviet Intervention to the Silk Road Initiatives, edited by Marlene Laruelle Eurasia’s Shifting Geopolitical Tectonic Plates: Global Perspective, Local Theaters, -
CADGAT Central Asia Data Gathering and Analysis Team GENDER and POLITICS in CENTRAL ASIA
CADGAT Central Asia Data Gathering and Analysis Team GENDER AND POLITICS IN CENTRAL ASIA 1 Central Asia Regional Data Review No. 6, August 2012 In 2009, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) and the OSCE Academy established the Central Asia Data-Gathering and Analysis Team (CADGAT). The purpose of CADGAT is to produce new cross-regional data on Central Asia that can be freely used by researchers, journalists, NGOs and government employees inside and outside the region. The project is managed and the reports are edited by Kristin Fjaestad and Indra Overland at NUPI. Comments and questions can be sent to: [email protected]. The datasets can be found at: www.osce-academy.net/en/cadgat/ 2 Introduction In addition to bringing together available figures for the Central Asian countries, this data review aims to produce some new data, while also providing an overview of developments with regard to gender and politics from independence until today. The data were collected between October 2011 and February 2012 by individual researchers in each of the five countries. Variation in terms of data availability and quality across the countries must be noted. Sources and methods used are listed in footnotes. The report is divided into four parts: gender in governments, parliaments and political parties, and descriptions of the gender quotas in Kyrgyzstan and in Uzbekistan. Main findings: The revocation of gender quotas after the fall of the Soviet Union has led to a significant reduction in the number of women represented in political institutions at the national level, particularly for government positions, but also in parliament. -
Assessment of Intergovernmental Relations and Local Governance in the Republic of Uzbekistan
ASSESSMENT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND LOCAL GOVERNANCE IN THE REPUBLIC OF UZBEKISTAN Prepared for Prepared by Peter Epstein Matthew Winter With Munira Aminova Andrei Makarikhin Central Asian Republics Local Government Initiative Phase II Clare Romanik United States Agency for International Development Contract No. EEU-I-00-99-00015-00, Task Order No. 811 The Urban Institute February 2004 UI Project 06901-017 THE URBAN INSTITUTE 2100 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20037 (202) 833-7200 www.urban.org ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Preparation of this report has drawn on a variety of primary and secondary sources. It could not have been completed without the patient, often surprisingly frank assistance of many experienced Uzbekistanis working both inside and outside of government to whom we are most grateful for their time, information, and insights. Indeed, most information provided in this assessment has been gleaned from interviews with these local observers, though in most cases the authors endeavored to verify each fact at more than one interview. In the body of the assessment, the authors have indicated where specific information is based on interviews with a small number of people. In respect to secondary sources, the chapter on Uzbekistan written by Kuatbay Bektemirov and Eduard Rahimov as a contribution to the Open Society Institute’s Local Governments in Eastern Europe, in the Caucasus and Central Asia: Developing New Rules in the Old Environment served as a valuable point of departure for understanding the complexities of local government in Uzbekistan, which we have sought to elaborate further in this assessment. The present authors’ understanding of the structure of intergovernmental finance in the country benefits from Alex MacNevin’s July and October 2003 reports for Bearing Point on building oblast level revenue capacity and a draft works in progress by the Center for Economic Research in Tashkent. -
The Economic Modernization of Uzbekistan
The Economic Modernization of Uzbekistan Mamuka Tsereteli SILK ROAD PAPER April 2018 The Economic Modernization of Uzbekistan Mamuka Tsereteli © Central Asia-Caucasus Institute & Silk Road Studies Program – A Joint Transatlantic Research and Policy Center American Foreign Policy Council, 509 C St NE, Washington D.C. Institute for Security and Development Policy, V. Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka, Sweden www.silkroadstudies.org “The Economic Modernization of Uzbekistan” is a Silk Road Paper published by the Central Asia-Caucasus Institute and Silk Road Studies Program, Joint Center. The Silk Road Papers Series is the Occasional Paper series of the Joint Center, and addresses topical and timely subjects. The Joint Center is a transatlantic independent and non-profit research and policy center. It has offices in Washington and Stockholm and is affiliated with the American Foreign Policy Council and the Institute for Security and Development Policy. It is the first institution of its kind in Europe and North America, and is firmly established as a leading research and policy center, serving a large and diverse community of analysts, scholars, policy-watchers, business leaders, and journalists. The Joint Center is at the forefront of research on issues of conflict, security, and development in the region. Through its applied research, publications, research cooperation, public lectures, and seminars, it functions as a focal point for academic, policy, and public discussion regarding the region. The opinions and conclusions expressed in this