Region
Central Asia
Kazakhstan Decriminalizes Defamation, Keeps Hindering Free Media
By Paolo Sorbello
Hailed as a step in the right direction, the decriminalization of defamation is still not enough to relieve pressure from the press.
Assessing Corporate Integrity in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Clusters
By Catherine Putz
The landmark privatization scheme took cotton out of the government’s direct hands and placed it in private “clusters” -- but not without significant risks.
Reaktsiya 3.0: Kyrgyz Protest Internet Censorship Bill
By Colleen Wood
Will protests be enough to convince Kyrgyzstan’s president to veto a bill that would restrict freedom of speech online?
Courts in Kazakhstan Return Assets to Criminal Group
By Paolo Sorbello
In a surprising move, the Prosecutor obtained the restitution of assets to a criminal group facing corruption charges.
Undaunted, Joint Investigation Rolls Out Records Backing Corruption Reporting
By Catherine Putz
RFE/RL, OCCRP and Kloop have published two new reports as well as a database filled with documents provided by murdered former money launderer Aierken Saimaiti.
Central Asian States Take on ‘False Information’
By Catherine Putz
Laws put in place to support the fight against COVID-19 by targeting false information are easily abused to crack down on negative opinions and dissent.
Russia’s Victory Day Guests
By Catherine Putz
Who showed up to Moscow’s rescheduled Victory Day parade?
Economic Concerns High as Mongolia Holds National Elections
By Associated Press
Mongolia is the second country after South Korea to hold national elections during the coronavirus pandemic.
11-Year Sentence for Former Kyrgyz President Atambayev’s Role in Early Release of Aziz Batukayev
By Catherine Putz
Atambayev faces an additional, ongoing trial related to the violence that erupted when the state tried to detain him in August 2019.
Why Is Russia Moving Closer to Mongolia?
By Shahid Hussain
Russia's approach to Mongolia is about more than countering China's influence.
A New Chapter in Uzbekistan’s Cotton Sector?
By Umida Niyazova
Despite progress in combating forced labor, Uzbekistan has yet to meaningfully engage in the civil society focused reforms necessary.
The China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Transport Corridor Stretches Further Into China
By Umida Hashimova
The transport corridor is in use and has great potential, but the middle section through Kyrgyzstan still transports cargo via trucks and not railcars.