Page 218 – The Times Of Central Asia

27 Jun 2025

Central Asia, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

China’s Fufeng Group to Build Deep Corn Processing Plant in Kazakhstan

June 27, 2025
By Sergey Kwan

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture and China’s Fufeng Group have signed an investment agreement to construct a deep corn processing plant in the Zhambyl region of southern Kazakhstan.

According to the ministry, the project will establish a vertically integrated industrial park with an annual corn processing capacity of up to one million tons. The complex will feature a starch production facility, three bio-fermentation plants, a coal-fired thermal power station, and a wastewater treatment plant. Future plans include facilities for producing hydrochloric acid and liquid ammonia.

The site will also manufacture amino acids and feed additives such as lysine, glutamine, glutamic acid, leucine, and threonine. The output will be primarily aimed at export markets in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

Fufeng Group will invest approximately $350 million in the initial phase of the project, with the total investment expected to reach $800 million.

Production is scheduled to begin in 2029, with plans to scale up to five million tons of processed corn annually by 2032. The company intends to purchase 500,000 tons of locally grown corn starting in 2025 and to sign forward contracts with Kazakhstani agricultural producers in 2026.

This investment follows a broader trend of Chinese capital flowing into Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector. As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Chinese biopharmaceutical firm Yili Chuanning Biological Co. is investing $500 million in a major corn processing project in the Almaty region. That initiative will utilize advanced biotechnology to produce amino acids, probiotics, and biodegradable materials, including medical and packaging products.

27 Jun 2025

Central Asia, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Features, International Affairs, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan to Join International Nuclear Liability Agreement

June 28, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Uzbekistan is set to join the 1963 Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage, following its approval by the Senate during the chamber’s eighth plenary session. According to the Senate press service, lawmakers reviewed and passed the legislation confirming Uzbekistan’s accession to the international treaty.

By joining the convention, Uzbekistan will adopt globally recognized legal standards for managing nuclear incidents. The treaty establishes a framework for liability in the event of nuclear accidents and sets out rules for compensating damages. It also mandates that nuclear facility operators provide financial guarantees to cover potential claims.

Senators emphasized that accession will strengthen the country’s legal framework on nuclear safety, enhance public trust, and promote international cooperation in the sector. “Joining the Vienna Convention means that in the event of a nuclear incident, Uzbek citizens will be better protected, and the country will be part of a global system that ensures compensation is paid fairly,” one official said.

The core aim of the convention is to define the legal responsibilities of nuclear operators and ensure a minimum level of financial protection for victims. Officials noted that the move would integrate Uzbekistan into the global nuclear legal regime, enhance systems for insurance and compensation, and clarify the government’s role in regulating the industry.

Kazakhstan is currently the only Central Asian country that is party to the Vienna Convention, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Uzbekistan’s accession will make it the second country in the region to join.

Officials also said the decision will deepen collaboration with the IAEA and enable Uzbekistan to participate in additional international initiatives related to nuclear energy and safety.

The Senate approved the legislation unanimously at the end of the session.

27 Jun 2025

Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Features

Kyrgyz Security Forces Warn Officials of Prosecution Over Inefficiency

June 27, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

The State Committee for National Security (GKNB) of Kyrgyzstan has issued a stern warning to municipal officials in Bishkek, threatening criminal prosecution for negligence and ineffective performance of official duties.

The warning came during a meeting initiated by the GKNB and held at Bishkek City Hall. All heads of the capital’s territorial divisions were present. Officials were instructed to take a more responsible approach to their work, particularly regarding urban development, social services, and the responsible use of public funds.

“All heads of local authorities are advised to draw their own conclusions so that their future activities will only benefit society and not cause harm,” stated Kamchybek Tashiev, head of the GKNB.

Tashiev also criticized the procurement of cheap, low-quality goods through public tenders, emphasizing that quality and efficiency, not just cost, should guide spending decisions.

The crackdown follows the high-profile arrest of Tokmok Mayor Maksat Nusuvaliyev, a move seen by analysts as a stark signal from the central government to regional administrations.

Nusuvaliyev was detained during a similar meeting with Tashiev in Tokmok, in full view of his subordinates. He faces charges of corruption and misappropriation of funds intended for the construction of a sports school and a cultural park. His arrest followed complaints from local residents and concerns from central authorities over delays and inefficiencies in the projects.

The government had previously allocated approximately $12 million for Tokmok’s urban improvement. However, President Sadyr Japarov later stated that the funds had yielded no tangible results.

Along with Nusuvaliyev, two other officials and the head of the construction company overseeing the projects were also detained. A court has ordered that all four be held in pretrial detention for two months.

Footage of the mayor’s detention was widely circulated online, further fueling public attention.

In response to the scandal, Tashiev demanded immediate accountability from other local officials. They were given three days to either recommit to fulfilling their duties or resign voluntarily.

In a striking directive aimed at reconnecting officials with local issues, Tashiev also ordered administrators in the Chui region to travel on foot through their districts to observe municipal problems firsthand.

27 Jun 2025

Home, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Kazakhstan, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Moves to Ban Face-Coverings in Public

July 22, 2025
By Aliya Haidar

On June 25, Kazakhstan’s Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, approved amendments to the law “On the Prevention of Offenses,” introducing a new provision that prohibits wearing clothing that obscures the face in public places. While the regulation applies broadly, the most contentious element is its effective ban on the niqab, a religious garment that leaves only the eyes visible.

This legislative move echoes ongoing debates in Kazakhstan and across Central Asia, where secular norms are enshrined in law but tensions persist over religious expression.

Medical Masks Exempt

Earlier, on June 19, Senator Nauryzbay Baikadamov clarified that the amendments would exempt face coverings worn for medical reasons, weather protection, or professional duties. According to Baikadamov, the law aims to enhance public safety and assist in crime prevention.

While accessories such as balaclavas are included in the ban, the central controversy surrounds the prohibition of the niqab.

The Scarf of Discord

Understanding the distinctions among various forms of religious dress is critical to the current debate. The niqab is a face veil that leaves only the eyes uncovered, while the burqa (or paranji), typically worn in Afghanistan, covers the entire face with a mesh screen over the eyes. Burqas are rarely seen in Kazakhstan.

Niqabs and black, floor-length dresses have become more visible on Kazakhstan’s streets in recent years, reflecting broader religious shifts. By contrast, the hijab, a headscarf that leaves the face exposed, has become commonplace and enjoys broader acceptance.

While niqabs are widely seen as foreign to Kazakh culture, hijabs hold a more complex status. Historically, Kazakh women did not cover their faces, a fact supported by pre-revolutionary photographs. The niqab is viewed by many as an imported practice, largely linked to Islamic teachings from Arab countries.

The hijab, however, is often seen as consistent with Kazakh traditions. As such, attempts to ban it have repeatedly stirred controversy.

Religious Tensions in Schools

In the fall of 2023, more than 150 schoolgirls in the Atyrau region refused to attend classes in protest against a hijab ban. Similar incidents were reported in other southern regions. Authorities reported that the situation was resolved after consultations with parents, but ambiguity remained regarding the scope of the restrictions, particularly whether the hijab was included.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev ultimately addressed the issue, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s secular identity.

“This principle must be strictly observed in all spheres, including education. School is, first and foremost, an educational institution where children come to gain knowledge. Religious beliefs, on the other hand, are a choice and a private matter for each citizen,” Tokayev stated.

Still, the legal and cultural status of the hijab remains unresolved. While school uniform policies emphasize secular dress, enforcement is inconsistent, and experts warn of renewed conflict. Religious scholar Asylbek Izbaev noted, “It is not so important what a girl wears on her head as what she thinks.”

A Regional Trend

Kazakhstan’s move is part of a broader trend across Central Asia. In January 2025, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov signed a law banning face-covering clothing. In 2023, Uzbekistan introduced fines for similar attire, and in 2024, Tajikistan banned clothing deemed “foreign to traditional culture,” a measure that has led to restrictions on religious garments.

Across Europe, comparable laws have long existed. Countries such as France, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Austria prohibit face coverings in public, citing security and cultural cohesion. Switzerland imposes substantial fines, while debates continue in the United Kingdom.

Kazakhstan now joins a growing list of nations grappling with how to balance religious expression with public security and secular governance.

27 Jun 2025

Central Asia, Tajikistan Justice, Justice, Tajikistan, Tajikistan Features

Tajik Asylum Seeker Wins UK Appeal Over Fear of Forced Beard Shaving

June 27, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

A Tajik man has been granted the right to remain in the United Kingdom after successfully arguing that he would face persecution in his home country for refusing to shave his beard. The case, first reported by The Telegraph, underscores how personal religious expression can form the basis of asylum claims.

The asylum seeker, whose identity remains undisclosed, had his initial claim rejected by the UK Home Office. On appeal, he argued that Tajik authorities routinely detain bearded men, forcibly shave them, and collect their fingerprints. He maintained that he would only shave his beard out of fear of harm, not due to personal preference or societal expectations.

Tajikistan has in recent years pursued an unofficial campaign linking beards to religious extremism. A BBC investigation found that in one region alone, police forcibly shaved nearly 13,000 men as part of an “anti-radicalisation” drive. Human Rights Watch has similarly documented cases of men with beards being detained, fingerprinted, and groomed under duress.

The appellant’s legal team contended that his beard is a core element of his religious identity as a practicing Muslim, and that being compelled to shave it under threat would constitute a violation of his human rights. The appeal was evaluated under Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment.

In his ruling, Deputy Judge Parminder Saini of the UK’s Upper Tribunal stated that the initial judge failed to adequately assess the true reasons the man would remove his beard. “If he wears a beard out of religious conviction but will conform for reasons of securing his safety, he may be entitled to international protection,” Saini wrote.

The judge also noted that credible background evidence, such as widespread reports of arbitrary detentions and forced grooming, had not been properly considered in the original decision. “Thousands of Tajik men have had their beards forcibly shaved. These examples were relevant and should have informed the tribunal’s decision,” he added.

The case has been remanded to the First-tier Tribunal for a fresh hearing.

This ruling illustrates how deeply personal expressions of faith, such as maintaining a beard, can warrant legal protection when in conflict with state practices in the country of origin. It also reflects the complex legal and evidentiary hurdles asylum seekers must overcome to prove a credible fear of persecution.

27 Jun 2025

Home, Tajikistan Justice, Turkmenistan Justice, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Uzbekistan, Justice, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan Features, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan Features, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan Justice, Turkmenistan Features, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees, Kyrgyzstan Features

Bans and Beliefs: Understanding Central Asia’s Most Controversial Restrictions

June 28, 2025
By Andrei Matveev

A recent controversy involving the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK) has reignited public debate over seemingly bizarre bans in Central Asia. SAMK was asked to comment on whether popular video games such as Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, GTA, League of Legends, Minecraft, and Genshin Impact are permissible under Islamic law. SAMK responded that, from a Sharia perspective, all of these games are prohibited.

The public interpreted this as an official ban, possibly even a fatwa, sparking a media uproar. But the reaction wasn’t unfounded: Central Asian republics often make headlines with prohibitions that, from the outside, can appear surreal. Yet, context often provides a more nuanced explanation.

Turkmenistan: The Regional Champion of Bans

Turkmenistan remains unmatched in its record of curious restrictions. Under its first president, Saparmurat Niyazov, the state banned smoking in cars, mobile phones, radios, stereo systems, clowns, and lip-syncing. Public smoking was also prohibited, and officials were barred from having gold teeth.

Other bans targeted personal appearance. Men were forbidden from wearing long hair, beards, or mustaches, while makeup was banned for television presenters. Niyazov justified the latter by claiming it was difficult to distinguish men from women on screen and that Turkmen women’s natural “wheat-colored” complexion should be visible.

Cultural life was similarly curtailed. Niyazov abolished ballet, opera, the circus, and even the national folk dance ensemble. “I don’t understand ballet. Why do I need it?” he said. “You can’t instill a love for ballet in Turkmen people if it’s not in their blood”.

His successor, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, retained many of these restrictions, particularly the sweeping limitations on internet access. According to Turkmen.news, as of 2023, approximately 75% of global IP addresses were blocked in Turkmenistan. The list of banned platforms includes Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Telegram, YouTube, WhatsApp, and X (formerly Twitter). Cloud services such as Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, and Dropbox are also blocked, along with most public DNS servers and online games such as Minecraft, Dota 2, and League of Legends.

Dushanbe Follows Suit

Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan are not alone in targeting video games. In 2024, the Interior Ministry in Tajikistan’s capital, Dushanbe, banned the distribution of games and video clips deemed violent or immoral. Authorities argued that such content negatively influenced youth behavior and contributed to crime. Games like Counter-Strike and GTA were explicitly named.

Tajikistan has also imposed a range of non-digital bans. In 2018, the Committee for Architecture and Construction ordered that rooftops follow a citywide color scheme: green on one side of the river, burgundy on the other. The directive was short-lived.

That same year, the mayor banned wearing house clothes, galoshes, and slippers in public, citing the need to uphold the capital’s dignity. The city also outlawed drying laundry on balconies to preserve the urban aesthetic.

While these rules may seem odd, they reflect the ongoing transformation of societies that, until recently, were largely agrarian. Urbanization has brought with it an effort to instill new norms and behaviors.

Sorcery, Beards, and Dress Codes

This same logic applies to the Tajik government’s ongoing crackdown against sorcerers and fortune-tellers. In November 2024, President Emomali Rahmon reported that more than 1,500 people had been detained as part of a campaign against superstition, which authorities see as a breeding ground for religious extremism.

Fears of Islamic radicalism have prompted similar policies across Central Asia. Face-concealing garments such as niqabs are banned in Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan. In Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, men with long beards can be fined or forcibly shaved.

In Kyrgyzstan, both the public and the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims support legislative measures to curb extravagant spending on weddings and funerals.

Unpacking the Logic Behind Central Asia’s Unconventional Prohibitions

Whilst it can sometimes appear like elementary populism, many of these policies are shaped by efforts to assert national identity, maintain social cohesion, or address unique local challenges, such as resource management or urban planning. Additionally, regulatory decisions can be highly centralized, amplifying the appearance of arbitrary rule. Therefore, while these measures might seem surreal to outsiders, they often reflect attempts to balance tradition, modernization, and governance in a rapidly changing region.

One example of a seemingly surreal prohibition in Central Asia is the ban on black cars in Turkmenistan. Introduced in 2018, this policy was widely mocked outside the country as arbitrary and unfounded. However, the context reveals a more complex story. Turkmenistan’s leadership has often prioritized aesthetics and symbolic representation in public policy. President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov is known for his preference for white, a color traditionally associated with purity and good fortune in Turkmen culture. This preference has influenced both urban planning and national aesthetics, leading to a preference for white or brightly-colored vehicles. While such a ban may appear irrational to outsiders, it reflects the regime’s broader emphasis on uniformity, symbolic gestures, and the projection of cultural values in public life. Also, in practical terms, in the scorching sun, a black car heats up faster.

A Misunderstood Fatwa

Back in Kazakhstan, the gaming controversy involving SAMK turned out to be a misunderstanding. The body merely offered a theological opinion, not an official prohibition. But in a region where restrictions can and do cover everything from internet access to facial hair, the confusion was perhaps inevitable.