Central Asia

Violence against women is a prevalent issue in Central Asia. How has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted gender-based violence patterns in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan?

How did social media influence the protests in and outside Turkmenistan in 2020? The study sheds light on the role of online activism during this wave of protests.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant challenges for civil society in Kazakhstan. At the same time, it also is an important reference for civic engagement. Our fellows conducted interviews with activists to analyse their adaption to the pandemic circumstances.

The project examines civil society activities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The Fellows developed recommendations to integrate strategies of non-state, crisis-driven activism into national policy approaches.

Central Asia is gaining increasing global importance. However, power is in the hands of a few in the countries of the region. A key factor for social change is strengthening youth policy.

Central Asia is gaining increasing global importance. However, power is in the hands of a few in the countries of the region. A key factor for social change is strengthening youth policy.

The Covid-19 pandemic in Kyrgyzstan will not lead to improvements for flexible work structures or in the health sector. Florian Coppenrath, who is conducting field research on rap music in Bishkek, discusses his experiences and observations on how the pandemic unfolded in 2020.

In March 2020, Tajikistan held its perhaps most disappointing parliamentary elections since its independence, argues Bruce Pannier, as the leading opposition party was banned. The presidential elections in autumn 2020 are hence paved for President Rahmon’s hold on power.

The EU strongly connects security and development issues in Central Asia, argues Karina Turan. The paper focuses on the guiding paradigms of the EU’s new Central Asia strategy within the scope of the security-development nexus.

In 2019, Uzbekistan announced its intention to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). At the same time, the country formally re-opened WTO accession after negotiations had stalled. Jamshid Normatov discusses how these two integration projects relate to each other.

Although the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is an economic organisation, the Kremlin`s motivation to draw Uzbekistan into this structure is political. Jasur Salomov analyses current developments and possible advantages and disadvantages of Uzbekistan’s potential membership.