Page 538 – The Times Of Central Asia

05 Feb 2025

Home, Tajikistan Local Politics, Local Politics, Tajikistan Features, Features

Citing Restrictions, OSCE Withdraws Observer Mission Ahead of Tajikistan’s Elections

February 6, 2025
By Times of Central Asia

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe has canceled plans to observe parliamentary elections in Tajikistan in March, saying the authorities have not provided assurances that its mission observers will be accredited for the event.

The Dushanbe-based election experts of the OSCE haven’t been able to start working since their observation mission opened on Jan. 22, according to the group’s office for democratic institutions and human rights. The office had concluded that it needed 20 long-term observers and 150 short-term observers to monitor concerns about the impartiality of Tajik election officials, the lack of independence of the judiciary and law enforcement and a deterioration in the rights of expression and assembly.

The OSCE office said on Tuesday that it “deploys election observation missions at the invitation of states, and host governments need to provide the necessary conditions for their effective and unrestricted operation. Prolonged uncertainty surrounding accreditation undermines the integrity of this process.”

Tajikistan has a presidential system of power and longtime President Emomali Rahmon had said that elections to the lower parliamentary chamber, the 63-member Majlisi Oli, would be held on March 2. Elections to the upper chamber, the Majlisi Milli, will be held on March 28. Rahmon’s eldest son, Rustam Emomali, is chairman of the upper chamber, positioning him as a possible successor to his father, and some of the chamber’s 33 members are appointed by the president.

International concerns are growing about the harsh environment for government opponents and journalists not affiliated with the state in Tajikistan, some of whom have been imprisoned. The government often casts critics as a threat to stability in a country that endured a civil war in the 1990s and – with its long border with Afghanistan – points to Islamic extremism as a perpetual threat.

The biggest opposition party, the Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan, was labeled a terrorist group and banned in 2015. Rahmon leads the ruling People’s Democratic Party of Tajikistan and there are half a dozen other parties with small numbers of seats.

In a speech to parliament in late December, Rahmon said “national security and sustainable economic development” were among the key goals of his administration. Despite criticism that he is authoritarian, he used the language of democracy in a brief reference to the elections.

“The upcoming elections should be held in a transparent, free, and high-level manner in accordance with the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Tajikistan, and voters should choose their worthy candidates,” said Rahmon, who has been in power since 1994.

Observers from the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a group of post-Soviet states, will monitor Tajikistan’s elections.

04 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Home, Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Local Politics, Kyrgyzstan Features, Kyrgyzstan Home

Shopping Center May Be Built Beneath Bishkek’s Ala-Too Square

February 5, 2025
By Anton Chipegin

Bishkek authorities are moving forward with plans to reconstruct the Manas monument and the underground space beneath it in Ala-Too Square, the capital’s central public space. According to the Bishkek Mayor’s Office, the 1,500-square-meter area beneath the monument is currently unused.

According to tender documents published on the government procurement website, the basement beneath Ala-Too Square is set to be redeveloped into retail space. The estimated cost of the reconstruction project is KGS 1.8 million ($20,600).

“We want to renovate the basement area – it has been in a dilapidated state since 1983 due to lack of maintenance. As for the future, we are considering various possibilities for the space. However, it is important to clarify that the Manas monument will not be removed,” Bishkek Mayor’s Office spokeswoman Nazgul Zhamgyrchieva told reporters.

Despite this reassurance, some Bishkek residents remain concerned, particularly since the Manas monument has already been removed from its pedestal as part of the reconstruction. Many fear it may not be returned to its original place.

The monument to Manas, a symbol of Kyrgyzstan’s national heritage, has stood in Ala-Too Square since 2011. Alongside the White House, the National Historical Museum, and the national flag, it forms part of Bishkek’s so-called “marble center”, a key landmark in the capital.

04 Feb 2025

Home, Justice, Kazakhstan Justice, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Proposes Polygraph Testing for Law Enforcement Officials

February 4, 2025
By Dmitry Pokidaev

Kazakhstan’s General Prosecutor’s Office has drafted a decree proposing the use of polygraph examinations when appointing law enforcement officers to senior positions. Previously, there had been discussions about requiring all government job applicants to undergo lie detector tests.

According to the proposal, polygraph testing could be applied to candidates for leadership roles in all law enforcement agencies, state protection services, and the State Courier Service.

“The main objectives of the test are to identify hidden negative motives for seeking employment in law enforcement agencies, including affiliations with banned public associations, criminal organizations, and terrorist groups,” the draft states.

Additionally, polygraph tests would aim to detect potential issues such as alcohol or drug addiction, gambling problems, concealed illnesses, suicidal tendencies, undisclosed income, dual citizenship, or the use of forged documents. Candidates may also be questioned about corruption-related offenses, unauthorized disclosure of classified or official information, and abuse of power.

“The examination of an employee from a law enforcement agency, civil protection agency, or the State Courier Service of the Republic of Kazakhstan will be conducted when they are nominated for higher managerial positions – whether as part of regular or unscheduled attestation or through a competition for a leadership role. It may also be used during official investigations, with the individual’s consent,” the draft decree states.

The proposal, published on the Open NPA portal, is open for public discussion until February 14, 2025.

Kazakhstan established a legal framework for polygraph use late last year. However, this is not the country’s first attempt to introduce lie detector tests for civil servants. In 2010, members of the Nur Otan party proposed using polygraphs to screen government officials involved in financial matters. At that time, the plan covered all government departments – both law enforcement and civilian – though it faced greater resistance from the latter.

Ultimately, the proposal was not implemented in the civil service. Now, 15 years later, discussions have resumed, though with a narrower focus on law enforcement personnel.

As The Times of Central Asia previously reported, Kazakhstan also has plans to establish a register of corrupt officials.

04 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan Business & Economy, Features, Kazakhstan Featurees

Kazakhstan Plans to Ban Starlink and Other Satellite Communication Systems Face Backlash

February 5, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

Kazakhstan is considering a ban on the import of Starlink and other satellite communication devices, a move that has sparked opposition from experts and the public.

In December 2024, authorities proposed a draft regulation prohibiting the import of satellite communication equipment from major manufacturers, including Thuraya, Iridium, Inmarsat, and Starlink. The proposal quickly ignited public debate on the Open ABO portal, with most commentators opposing the measure. Following a wave of criticism, the draft was sent for revision.

National Security Concerns

The ban would apply to satellite phones and terminals commonly used by emergency services, maritime fleets, and travelers in areas lacking traditional communication networks. The Ministry of Digital Development defends the restriction as a national security measure, citing Article 23 of Kazakhstan’s Law on National Security. The law prohibits the operation of foreign-controlled communication networks within the country. Authorities have suggested requiring local oversight of satellite devices.

Industry and Legal Concerns

Industry representatives and legal experts, however, have raised strong objections.

Safety Risks: Alexey Korchagin, a representative of satellite communications partner ZHARYQ LLP, warns that restricting satellite communication could jeopardize lives. He argues that alternatives such as Eutelsat-OneWeb and Amazon Kuiper cannot fully replace Thuraya, Iridium, and Inmarsat, as their functionality differs. Unlike bulky VSAT terminals, mobile satellite phones are compact, easy to use, and designed for emergencies.
Control Over Information: Lawyer Yelzhan Kabyshev sees the ban as part of a broader effort to control information flows. He points to previous cyber-control measures, including security certificates and data interception policies. He also questions the transparency of the decision-making process, particularly after the January 2022 unrest, which led to criminal cases against top National Security Committee officials.
A Growing Black Market: Experts argue that the ban will not eliminate security risks, as the devices could still be smuggled into the country. Korchagin warns that such restrictions could fuel the “gray” market, making it harder to regulate and potentially increasing security threats.

Alternative Solutions

Instead of an outright ban, experts recommend cooperation with satellite operators to ensure regulatory oversight without compromising essential communication services.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan is working to expand internet access in remote areas. In 2024, a pilot project connected nearly 2,000 rural schools to Starlink satellite internet. The Ministry of Digital Economy has stated that the ban will not affect these connections, though the long-term future of the project after 2026 remains uncertain.

04 Feb 2025

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

Riot in Tajik Prison Leaves Several Inmates Dead

February 5, 2025
By Vagit Ismailov

On February 3, a riot broke out in Tajikistan’s Vahdat Penitentiary No. 3/2, 15 miles from Dushanbe, resulting in the deaths of several prisoners. According to Tajikistan’s Ministry of Justice, the incident occurred when nine inmates – convicted over links to Islamic State and the Jihadi Salafi movement – launched an armed attack on prison staff using improvised weapons.

“As a result of the attack, three guards were seriously injured,” the ministry’s statement said. The prisoners, armed with makeshift knives, refused to comply with prison authorities and attempted to kill security personnel in an escape attempt.

According to the authorities, the prison guards responded with firearms, killing three of the attackers and detaining the others. The injured staff members received medical treatment and were reported to be in stable condition. Authorities also confirmed that security at the facility has been fully restored.

While official reports initially listed three inmate fatalities, some sources suggest that the actual number of prisoner deaths may be higher. Condemning the treatment of detainees by officials at the prison, the Civil Committee for the Rescue of Hostages and Political Prisoners of Tajikistan (CCHP) stated that “at least 10 prisoners were killed and a number were injured as a result of guards shooting at prisoners.”

Despite reports that the detainees had briefly raised the Islamic State flag over the prison, CCHP claimed that those killed were political prisoners who had no connection to ISIS or any other banned group.

History of Prison Riots in Tajikistan

This is not the first violent uprising within Tajikistan’s penitentiary system.

In May 2019, inmates in the same facility armed with knives took three staff members hostage and killed them. They also executed five fellow prisoners before security forces suppressed the riot. Among those killed was Behruz Halimov, son of Gulmurod Halimov, a former Tajik special forces officer who later joined ISIS. The riot left 29 prisoners dead, and Tajikistan’s Supreme Court subsequently increased the sentences of 28 convicts involved in the incident. ISIS claimed responsibility for the riot.

In November 2018, a similar riot occurred in a high-security prison in Khujand, where 21 inmates and two prison staff members were killed. Five guards were also injured. Following an investigation, 33 prisoners stood trial, and nine prison officials, including the warden, received prison sentences for negligence.

Broader Security Concerns

In recent years, Tajikistan has witnessed numerous escape attempts from detention facilities, though nearly all have ended in failure. Most escape organizers have either been killed during apprehension or recaptured.

These recurring incidents highlight ongoing security challenges within the country’s prison system and underscore the need for further reforms to prevent future outbreaks of violence.

04 Feb 2025

Central Asia, Home, Uzbekistan, International Affairs, Uzbekistan Home, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Uzbekistan and Afghanistan Sign $4.5M Trade Deal as Economic Ties Grow

February 4, 2025
By Sadokat Jalolova

Business representatives from Uzbekistan and Afghanistan have signed a $4.5 million trade agreement, Tasnim News reported on February 3.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Industry and Trade announced the deal, stating that it was signed by private sector representatives from both countries.

Afghanistan is Uzbekistan’s fifth-largest export market. Over the past five years, trade between the two countries has grown by nearly 1.5 times, reaching $866 million in 2023.

Currently, 550 Afghan-invested enterprises operate in Uzbekistan, 443 of which are fully Afghan-owned. Joint projects are ongoing in food production, construction materials, agriculture, tourism, and textiles.

Beyond trade agreements, both countries are discussing broader economic cooperation. In August 2024, an Uzbek delegation led by Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov visited Afghanistan. During the meetings, both sides emphasized their goal of increasing trade turnover to $1 billion in 2024, with a long-term target of $3 billion. Officials stressed the need to tap into new economic opportunities on a mutually beneficial basis.

As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, in October 2024, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Oil signed a 10-year contract with an Uzbek company for gas exploration and production in the Tuti Maidan gas field in Jawzjan province. The project is expected to bring in about $1 billion in investment to the region’s gas sector.