Author: Jamilya Zhunusov

After Tajiks were charged with a deadly attack in Moscow, the country has cracked down on signs of Islam. But experts say it’s not addressing the causes of terrorism. People in Tajikistan were expecting a government crackdown after Tajik men were arrested and charged with a terrorist attack on a Moscow concert hall in March. But it still seemed excessive to Nilufar, a 27-year-old education professional, when she saw local authorities with scissors outside a K.F.C. in Dushanbe, Tajikistan’s capital, trimming beards that were deemed too long. Excessive, but not so surprising. In the span of a month, Nilufar herself…

The Tajikistani authorities are perpetuating systemic discrimination and severe human rights violations against the Pamiri minority, according to new research by Amnesty International. The Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) in East Tajikistan is home to several ethnic groups forming the Pamiri minority, mostly practicing the Shia Ismaili branch of Islam. Denied official recognition as a minority and regarded as ethnic Tajiks by the central authorities, Pamiris face systemic discrimination, suppression of cultural and religious institutions, political oppression, and brutal reprisals for defending their rights. “The ongoing persecution and human rights violations against the Pamiri minority in Tajikistan reached an alarming scale…

China and Tajikistan on Friday announced the elevation of ties to comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ongoing state visit to Tajikistan, injecting new momentum and opening up a new chapter in bilateral ties and common development of the two countries. The visit, which saw Xi award Tajik President Emomali Rahmon the Friendship Medal of the People’s Republic of China and the issuing of a joint statement detailing the blueprint for bilateral cooperation, is seen as a landmark event, underscoring the high-quality development and the elevation of bilateral ties led by head-of-state diplomacy, analysts said. It showed that the…

The Chinese and US defence ministers held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Friday, the first in-person meeting between ministers since 2022. Senior Colonel Wu Qian, a spokesman for China’s defence ministry, said the bilateral meeting between Dong Jun and Lloyd Austin was “positive, practical and constructive” communication at the strategic level. He said that during the meeting, the two exchanged views, including on relations between the two militaries, Taiwan, the South China Sea and “the Ukraine crisis”. The meeting had a “positive effect” on promoting understanding and avoiding miscalculation, Wu said in a press conference after…

Moscow (28/2). Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that non-governmental organizations in Central Asia have stepped up their anti-Russian activities amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army. Shoigu said this at the board of the Russian Ministry of Defense on February 27. According to him, there are more than 100 “large pro-Western non-governmental organisations” operating in Central Asia, which have more than 16,000 representative offices and branches. “Against the backdrop of the special military operation, these NGOs have significantly increased their anti-Russian activities in order to reduce military-technical, economic and cultural cooperation between the Central Asian states and Russia.…

All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree setting out the routine spring conscription campaign, calling up 150,000 citizens for statutory military service, a document posted on the Kremlin’s website showed on Sunday (31 March). All men in Russia are required to do a year-long military service, or equivalent training during higher education, from the age of 18. In July Russia’s lower house of parliament voted to raise the maximum age at which men can be conscripted to 30…

President Sadyr Japarov, in an interview with the national news agency “Kabar” on December 6, once again reiterated that there are forces that intend to take advantage of the rally of merchants who oppose the use of cash registers in Kyrgyzstan. The head of state said that businessmen went to protests with the intention of delivering their demands to the authorities, but law enforcement agencies have information about those who intend to use them for their own benefit. “There are those who used to “eat from the big manger” and wanted to take advantage of their rally, today there are…

A study of community immunity to nine vaccine-preventable diseases will be conducted in Kyrgyzstan. Zharkynbek Kasymbekov, director of the National Institute of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, said at a press conference. According to him, the study will be conducted jointly with the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Viral Infection Control and the St. Petersburg Pasteur Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. To participate in the testing on the website of the Ministry of Health, one should complete a questionnaire and sign up for a convenient time. There are 69 testing points in the country. The testing will take place on November 13-25. Citizens of Kyrgyzstan will be able to take a free test for antibodies to measles, rubella, mumps, SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, viral hepatitis A, B, C, D,…

For nine months of 2023, Kyrgyzstan exported 9.9 tons of gold worth $619.7 million. The data provided by the National Statistical Committee says. In just a month, the figure increased by 1.2 tons. At the same time, during the same period in 2022, only 69.4 kilograms of gold were delivered for $905,600. Current data on gold export volumes are 143 (!) times higher than last year’s level. Switzerland accounts for the main volume of precious metal exports. At least eight tons were supplied there for $502.8 million. Data for eight months of 2023 showed exports at 7.1 tons. It turns out that in a month the Kyrgyz Republic exported almost 882.2 kilograms of gold to Switzerland. In addition, the republic supplied 984.3 kilograms of precious…

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan are exploring the potential of initiating a joint flight route connecting Japan’s Tokyo, Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, and Kyrgyzstan’s Bishkek, Trend studies. This subject was deliberated upon throughout a gathering between Abylkasym Sherniyazov, President of the Tourism Development Support Fund in Kyrgyzstan, and Jamshid Abdusalomov, First Deputy Chairman of Uzbekistan’s Tourism Committee. Elsewhere, the edges mentioned proposals for establishing direct and cost-effective flights from Uzbekistan’s Tashkent, to Issyk-Kul and Osh in Kyrgyzstan. Additionally, plans for mixed excursions encompassing each Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan have been addressed. The dialog additionally touched upon the enhancement of infrastructure on the “Madaniyat” street checkpoint…