United Nations - The Times Of Central Asia

Viewing results 1 - 6 of 18

UN General Assembly Backs Kazakhstan’s Initiative to Establish UN Center in Almaty

The United Nations General Assembly has unanimously adopted a resolution supporting the establishment of the UN Regional Centre for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Central Asia and Afghanistan in Almaty. The initiative was put forward by Kazakhstan on behalf of the Central Asian states. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry, 152 UN member states co-sponsored the resolution, underscoring its broad international support and high significance. Kazakhstan’s Role in Regional Development The idea to establish the UN SDG Centre was first proposed by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during the 74th session of the UN General Assembly. He suggested locating the center in Almaty’s new Building of International Organizations, which already hosts 18 UN agencies. Tokayev emphasized that, as the largest economy in Central Asia, Kazakhstan is committed to strengthening regional cooperation and promoting sustainable development. He highlighted the growing role of middle powers in global governance, positioning Kazakhstan as a key player in fostering regional integration and international collaboration. A Hub for Regional Cooperation The new UN SDG Centre will serve as a platform for coordinating international and regional efforts, facilitating best practice exchanges, providing technical assistance, and implementing joint projects. It will work closely with governments, international organizations, the private sector, and civil society to achieve measurable development outcomes. Additionally, the center will play a crucial role in revitalizing the UN system at the regional level. Its mission includes enhancing coordination between UN agencies, adapting global initiatives to regional priorities, and promoting inclusive multilateral cooperation, a goal aligned with ongoing UN reforms aimed at improving efficiency and effectiveness. Supporting Afghanistan’s Economic Stability A key focus of the center will be economic development in Afghanistan, as the country’s stability and prosperity are directly linked to the security and well-being of Central Asia. By addressing Afghanistan’s economic challenges, the center aims to contribute to long-term regional stability and growth.

United Nations Army Military Information military equipment

UN Pays Kazakhstan $2.6 Million Annually for Military Equipment in Golan Heights

The United Nations pays Kazakhstan $2.6 million per year for the lease of military equipment and weapons used in its peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights, Kazakhstan's Deputy Defense Minister Shaykh-Khasan Zhazykbayev announced at a Mazhilis meeting. On February 12, Mazhilis deputies ratified a memorandum with the UN outlining the terms of Kazakhstan’s contribution to the mission. Since March 2024, 139 Kazakhstani servicemen have been deployed to the region, supported by 26 units of military equipment. Under the agreement, UN payments are divided into two categories: approximately $2.4 million per year is allocated for personnel maintenance, while $2.6 million covers the lease of military equipment, weapons, and other resources. Each Kazakhstani peacekeeper receives a monthly salary of $1,448, along with additional payments for leave and out-of-pocket expenses. A separate agreement between Kazakhstan and the UN regulates financial transactions. Under this arrangement, payments for military personnel go directly to the soldiers, while funds for leased equipment and property are transferred to the state budget. During 11 months of operations in the Golan Heights, Kazakhstani peacekeepers have neutralized approximately 200 unexploded ordnance and conducted the evacuation of a UN employee. The Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan reported that in December 2024, the contingent demonstrated a high level of professionalism, efficiency, and coordination. Meanwhile, tensions in the conflict zone remain high. The Kazakh contingent operates in a region where hostilities between Israel and Syria persist. Israel continues to expand military infrastructure in the Golan Heights, which it has controlled since 1967. However, many countries recognize the area as Syrian territory and consider it occupied. Previously, the UN discussed the possibility of evacuating Kazakhstani peacekeepers if the security situation deteriorates.

Afghanistan migrants rights Migrants Migration United Nations Human rights Refugees

UNHCR Again Urges Tajikistan to Stop Deporting Afghan Refugees

The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on Tajikistan to immediately halt the deportation of Afghan refugees, following reports that dozens were forcibly returned to Afghanistan last month. According to UNHCR, at least 80 Afghan refugees were deported from Tajikistan in December 2024, despite many holding valid refugee documents. The agency warned that such actions violate international protection standards and could put deportees at risk. By the end of 2024, around 9,000 Afghan refugees were residing in Tajikistan. UNHCR has expressed concern that further deportations could endanger many more lives. Regional Context and Increasing Deportations Tajikistan is not the only country tightening its stance on Afghan refugees. Iran and Pakistan have also intensified deportations in recent months. Reports indicate that Iran has expelled 586,000 undocumented Afghans since the start of the current solar year. Meanwhile, the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation stated that nearly 12,000 Afghan migrants have returned from Pakistan, Iran, and Turkey in the past three weeks. The rise in deportations has added pressure on Afghan refugees, many of whom are already struggling due to Afghanistan’s worsening humanitarian crisis. UNHCR has reiterated its appeal for international cooperation, urging host countries to balance national security concerns with humanitarian obligations. Previously, Mosawer Bahadori, head of Afghanistan’s Migration Committee (Aryana) in Tajikistan, urged Tajik authorities to respect refugee rights and uphold their international commitments in protecting displaced Afghans.

Islamic State Khorasan Province UNICEF repatriation United Nations Human rights Islamic State

Repatriating Islamic State Fighters and Families: Balancing Security and Humanity

With the fall of the Assad regime in Syria, repatriating foreign fighters is a pressing issue at the intersection of global security, humanitarian principles, and national responsibility. Central Asian governments — namely, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan — have emerged as proactive players in repatriating their citizens from camps in northeastern Syria. While these efforts are laudable, they come with challenges and unanswered questions. Tens of thousands of people, many of them women and children associated with former ISIS or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - a terrorist organization known for its extreme ideology and violent actions of its’ fighters — remain trapped in the camps of northeastern Syria. Their lives are defined by squalor and uncertainty, and they face a bleak future. Central Asian nations have stepped up where many others have faltered, asserting their responsibility to help their citizens who languish there. Yet, this commitment is not without its limits. Repatriating men — many of whom were fighters — remains a challenge that even the most ambitious programs have struggled to address. This issue looms large, as it intertwines with broader questions. These include reintegration, security risks, and the potential for radicalization, both in prison systems and broader society. The scale of efforts undertaken by four of the Central Asian countries is significant. Together, they have repatriated around 2,200 citizens: Kazakhstan, the most, 754 individuals, followed by others with numbers ranging from 381 to 533. These figures represent more than just logistical achievements. They reflect these governments' commitment to humanitarian principles. However, the path has not been entirely smooth, as some of the repatriated women and children have returned back to conflict zones. As counterintuitive as this may seem, they might do so out of ideological commitment, social ties, coercion or threats, trauma bonding, or difficulty reintegrating into their home societies. All this suggests cracks in reintegration programs that must be addressed. The strategies employed by the Central Asian states, despite their common goal, differ in focus and execution. Kazakhstan’s “Operation Zhusan” is often mentioned as a model of coordination and commitment. It has gone beyond mere repatriation to a vision embracing comprehensive reintegration, including other services, such as DNA testing to identify orphaned children. Yet such efforts rely heavily on state resources and long-term political will, neither of which can be taken for granted. Uzbekistan’s Mehr ("Kindness") initiative has particularly focused on protecting children and supporting the unification of families. Yet even with international appreciation, Uzbekistan faces the same challenges as its neighbors: how to sustain this momentum and address lingering societal stigmas toward returnees. Kyrgyzstan paused its repatriation operations in Iraq due to legal roadblocks and has turned its attention to Syria. However, Kyrgyzstan relies significantly on international cooperation, as its own economic resources for such activities are comparatively limited. So far, it has repatriated 511 citizens. Tajikistan’s steady progress highlights even more pointedly the role of international cooperation with organizations like UNICEF and the European Union. The Tajik authorities have worked closely with...

Corruption research Society Anti-Corruption United Nations

More Than Half of Uzbeks View Nepotism as a Corruption Problem

According to the United Nations, corruption costs developing countries approximately $1.26 trillion annually. Since 2016, Uzbekistan has undertaken significant reforms to combat corruption, including the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Agency, the simplification of public services, and the full digitalization of public procurement systems. A recent study conducted by Uzbekistan's Anti-Corruption Agency, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission of the Republic of Korea sheds light on public attitudes toward corruption. The study used surveys, focus groups, and expert interviews, covering all 14 regions of Uzbekistan and gathering responses from 503 participants. Key Findings The study revealed that public understanding of corruption in Uzbekistan often focuses on bribery and nepotism. Over half of respondents identified abuse of office and nepotism as corrupt practices. However, less than 40% considered valuable gifts a form of corruption, with many viewings them as gestures of gratitude rather than bribes. While bribery is widely condemned - 88.4% of respondents disapproved of it - attitudes toward small gifts for good service were more lenient. Sectors Most Affected The study highlighted the sectors most susceptible to corruption: Healthcare and Education: Particularly in higher education. Local Governance: Frequent opportunities for misuse of authority. Traffic Safety Services, Internal Affairs, Roads, and Construction: Identified as high-risk areas, with rural residents particularly concerned about corruption in road construction. Reporting Corruption Despite witnessing corrupt practices, few respondents report such behavior to authorities. Among respondents: Men: 79.2% were slightly more willing to report corruption than women (70.4%). Women: Showed greater interest in using mobile applications or online portals for reporting (85.2% versus 79.2% of men). Persons with Disabilities: Reported corruption less frequently, but expressed a high willingness to use online tools if made accessible. Trust in Anti-Corruption Institutions Trust in anti-corruption institutions varied significantly: Urban Residents: Trusted the media (20.3%) and bloggers (17.3%) more than rural residents. Rural Residents: Had higher trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency (21.4%). Persons with Disabilities: Showed trust in the Anti-Corruption Agency, media, and bloggers. General Public: Less than 5% said they trust no one to address corruption. Moving Forward The findings suggest that while public awareness of corruption is growing, attitudes toward certain practices, such as gift-giving, remain complex. Efforts to increase transparency, provide accessible reporting tools, and build trust in anti-corruption institutions are critical to further reducing corruption in Uzbekistan.

United Nations Court Cases Arrest Human rights Opposition

UN Expresses Concern Over Arrest of Kyrgyz Lawyer Samat Matsakov

The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, has voiced concern over the arrest of lawyer Samat Matsakov in Bishkek. In a statement published on social media platform X, Lawlor highlighted potential violations of procedural safeguards. “Received disturbing news about the arrest of human rights lawyer Samat Matsakov in Kyrgyzstan, which is a clear violation of procedural safeguards for arrest and fair trial standards. Lawyers must be protected from harassment and persecution,” she wrote. Detention and Charges Samat Matsakov was detained on November 29 on fraud charges. However, Matsakov claims he has not been provided with a clear explanation of the allegations against him. During a search of his apartment, an investigator from the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) confiscated a dictaphone and disks connected to a client’s case. The client, Imamidin Tashov, is the former director of the KG Group construction company. Matsakov has been placed in pre-trial detention until December 30. His arrest has sparked criticism from human rights activists and lawyers, who describe it as an unprecedented violation of the law. An appeal against the pre-trial detention order is currently being prepared. Professional Legacy Matsakov is well-known for defending journalists, the akyn (poet-singer) Askat Zhetigen, and various high-profile individuals, including company executives and public figures. His detention has drawn significant attention from human rights organizations and the international community. Critics argue that the arrest reflects broader challenges facing legal professionals in Kyrgyzstan, emphasizing the need for greater protections to ensure that lawyers can perform their duties without fear of harassment or persecution.