Stories about Central Asia & Caucasus from June, 2009
Grimaces of education in Kazakhstan
From June 01 to June 10 school graduates in Kazakhstan were undergoing Unified National Test (UNT) – the first and one of the most important tests in their lives. As Zara, one of our bloggers, writes, the average test result has been 74.9 points, which is 7 points higher than...
Kyrgyzstan: “Fight Piracy!” Action
Samat presents a photo-post on the action to protect the copyright and fight piracy, staged by the Kyrgyzstan's State Patient Service.
Kazakhstan: KGB is back?
Adam writes that journalists, rights advocates and opposition leaders, express concern that Kazakhstan returns to the vicious practice of the Soviet times in treating the dissent.
Kazakhstan: Media Protest Against Crackdown
Arman reports on a silent action of protest in the downtown of Almaty, Kazakhstan, in which journalists of independent newspapers, media organizations and opposition politicians put on scarves on their mouths in a symbolic demand of more freedom of speech.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan Remain Worst of the Worst
Musa reviews the “Worst of the Worst 2009″ report by Freedom House, which lists two Central Asian states – Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – among the world’s most repressive societies.
Kyrgyzstan: Terror Attack Registered
Joshua Foust reports that according to the Kyrgyzstan’s regional administration, five armed individuals killed by the Kyrgyz national security troops were members of the banned Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
Azerbaijan: A modest Scary Azeri in print
Scary Azeri in Suburbs informs its readers that a Baku-based English-language magazine has featured the blog in a two-page article. The magazine might not be Harpers, the blogger says, but it is real and more importantly, glossy…
Azerbaijan: Interview with Nigar Fatali
The OL! Youth Movement blog [AZ] interviews Azeri blogger Nigar Fatali. The blogger at Don Quixote [AZ/RU] and Fighting windmills? Take a pill [EN] comments on matters as diverse as gender, education, conflict resolution, youth and culture.
Armenia: Opposition detainees released
Following a general amnesty agreed upon by the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia on 19 June, several senior opposition figures on trial and in detention for over a year since the 1 March post-election unrest in the country were finally pardoned and released. Many observers believe the trials were politically motivated.
Kazakhstan: Bureaucracy, diplomacy and personality cult
Bloggers keep on commenting political situation in Kazakhstan. megakhuimyak reports that according to the new presidential decree, the Financial Police has got extra authority, informers against corrupt officials will be awarded, the civil servants’ property and income will be monitored [ru]: The bad thing is that now officials will stop...
Azerbaijan: All hail Iranian women
Following a post from Armenian blogger Ianyan in praise of women in Iran comes a similar response from Azerbaijan, another country that borders the Islamic republic. Re-posting an earlier video interview on the changing role of women in Iran, Baku-based Global Voices Online author Ali S. Novruzov also pays homage.
Kyrgyzstan: Presidential race starts
Elena provides a list of candidates for the presidential post in Kyrgyzstan with brief, yet smart, comments to each of them.
Kazakhstan: The road ahead is murky for “Astana” cycling team
Dina says that the latest news about “Astana” cycling team – the pride of Kazakhstan's elite – are still about its financial problems, which have been haunting the team since April.
Kyrgyzstan: Japanese music comes to Bishkek
Samat reports (with photographs) on the concert of traditional Japanese folk music that has taken place in Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
Afghanistan: Local conflict is aggravating
Nick Fielding reviews a new report from the “Cooperation for Peace and Unity” organisation, which notes that local conflict in Afghanistan is increasing at a faster rate than the insurgency and armed conflict.
Kazakhstan: Defence minister fired
Slavasay informs the readers of resignation of the Kazakhstan's defence minister after a series of corruption scandals in his office.
Kazakhstan: Graduate Test Results
Zara reports on the results and statistics of the Unified National Test of high scholl graduates in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan: Nuclear Scandal Deepens
Sorge writes about new developments in the criminal case against the former leadership of Kazakhstan's state-owned nuclear holding.
Armenia: Iranian student protest
Posting photos and videos on his Frontline Club blog, Global Voices Online's Caucasus editor reports from a demonstration staged outside the Iranian Embassy in Yerevan protesting Friday's disputed presidential election.
Azerbaijan: Alarming news for civil society
Thoughts on the Road comments on news that Azerbaijan's already underdeveloped civil society is facing a new threat in the form of legislation governing NGOs in the country to be discussed later this week.
Armenia: Photo evidence of alleged hazing in army
Unzipped comments on news reports and alleged photo evidence taken by mobile phone of beatings in the Armenian military. The blog asks why few others seem concerned by such incidents.
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