I. PECULIARITIES OF POLITICAL, SOCIAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND LEGAL CLIMATE IN THE COUNTRY DEFINING THE FACTUAL SITUATION IN THE MEDIA

1. Public speeches and statements of superior officials defining the factual situation in the mass media

3 July
Olim Salimzoda, parliamentarian, Dushanbe

The Tajik parliamentarian Olimjon Salimzoda told the Asia Plus weekly that “the amendments to the media law adopted by the parliament in June are in compliance with the requirements of the contemporary journalism. The Tajik media law is going to become the best in Central Asia”. Salimzoda is the chairman of the parliament committee on international affairs, public organizations and information.

The parliamentarian added that, according to the adopted amendments, public officials are obliged to provide journalists with information within three days after a request, whereas, according to the existing rules, this timeframe is one months.

Salimzoda says that the amendments to the media legislation will improve the responsibility of officials and will force them to timely respond and take relevant measures after publications containing criticism.

18 July
Abdurakhmon Abdumanonov, deputy chairman, State Committee on Radio and Television under the government, Dushanbe

Deputy chairman of the Tajik State Broadcasting Committee told the media that his agency has launched a sociological opinion poll in order to define the best TV and radio programs. He noted that the poll is being conducted to encourage the best journalists and support the programs they create. The results of the poll will become public in August. Authors of the best stories and programs will receive special awards.

19 July
Khamid Abdulloev, mayor of Kulyab, Khatlon province

Speaking at a press conference, the mayor of Kulyab and parliamentarian Khamid Abdulloev called journalists to “constructive criticism”. According to a correspondent representing the NANSMIT monitoring service in Khatlon, the official stated that he has never opposed criticism unless it pursues “destructive purposes”.

The mayor has acknowledged the existing shortcomings in the municipal infrastructure; however, publications in the media should be rational, i.e. they should help officials to resolve the problems. “My office is always open for you; and I’ve never avoided meeting a journalist”, — he said.

21 July
Lutfullo Davlatov, director, TV Safina

Quoting the director of the government TV Safinacompany, the Asia Plus weekly says that “the station constantly shows the pictures of nature to tranquilize the audience”. (Asia Plus, #29, 21.07.2010).

“People come back home tired, and they ain’t got no time for theaters or concerts. Peaceful music, pictures of landscapes and waterfalls are calming them. Besides that, the constant demonstration of our spectacular nature might help in attracting foreign tourists”, — Davlatov added.

However, the director acknowledged that the TV programs contain too much of praise of the government, whereas the country keeps facing numerous problems. The director complained that the personnel of his station are mainly young and not very experienced people.

2. Factual situation in the media

6 July
Imruz News, private newspaper, Dushanbe

Editor of the Imruz News weekly Rajabi Mirzo told the media that his outlet is going to become a daily periodical.

“This is a commercial project, and along with the news, we’ll be providing our readers with analysis and entertainment”, — said Mirzo.

According to the Ministry of Culture, about 20 new periodicals have been registered in the last few months in the country; most of them are the so-called “sectoral” newspapers, i.e. belonging to particular ministries or government agencies.

7 July
The First Channel, Dushanbe

The Tajik weekly “Facts & Comments” publiched an article by a freelance author M. Salohiddinov criticizing the Tajik federal TV company “The First Channel” (#15, 07.07.2010). “Last week, the government TV companies dedicated most of their broadcasting time describing the visit of the President to Gorno Badakhshan”, — he says in his article titled “Where does the TVT money go?”

Salohiddinov says that those stories about the President’s trips “without the beginning and the end” have only one purpose in view – to earn as much as possible. The shooting of such events is not expensive; only a couple of cameramen and an editor are needed to accomplish such assignment. In distinction to that, a good talk show or and analytical program requires serious investments and smart people. The author also criticizes the government TV management for ignoring the audience’s opinion about those boring and useless programs.

18 July
Sadoi Konibodom weekly, Kanibadam, Sughd province

Editor of the Sadoi Konibodom weekly Gulomjon Khomidov told the media that his outlet will be published twice a week.

Khomidov also told that the local administration has purchased modern computers and digital equipment for his staff, and the quality of the newspaper will improve essentially. He added that the total number of subscribers at present is 2,5 thousand.

23 July
The Farazh weekly, Dushanbe

The Farazh weekly (#29, 21 July 2010) has published another article criticizing the road tolling company Innovative Road Solutions (IRS) operating in the country. The company maintains the first in Tajikistan commercial highway “Dushanbe – Chanak”.

“According to the President’s decree obliging government officials to take measures and give feedback after publications in the media, the authorities should have reacted long ago on numerous publications about the IRS’s activities and violations of the legislation”, — the article says.

Farazh refers to particular newspapers that published articles describing the draconic tolling fees established by IRS. Dozens of periodicals and the Internet sources expressed their negative attitude to the company’s behavior and pricing policy. “Regrettably, none of the officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications and from the President’s Executive Office responded to the numerous questions and opinions expressed by journalists, experts, representatives of political parties, as well as residents of Varzob, Matcha and Istravshan”, — the article says. — “Isn’t that a violation of the Constitution?” The authors come to the conclusion that the silence of officials has created grounds for numerous articles in newspapers and rumors among the people.

3. Amendments to existing legislation and new draft laws aggravating media environment

3 July
All media

Tajik parliamentarians Olim Salimzod and Akramsho Fellaliev have drafted amendments for the Tajik Law “On printing and other mass media”. The existing Law was adopted in 1990; since then, it has been amended seven times. The authors say that the amended draft law adopted by the government in June is in full compliance to the requirements of the contemporary journalism. However, the Tajik media community expresses discontent and concerns about saying that the lawmakers did not take into consideration many factors and requirements in the sphere of media.

17 July
All media, Kurgan-Tube, Khatlon province

A t a meting of editors of the Khatlon province printing and electronic media on 17 July participants discussed the new draft medial law. The participants suggested to introduce changes and amendments, mainly in the sphere of social protection of media professionals, and the responsibility of public officials for access to information.

4. Journalists protecting their civil and professional rights

3 July
All media, Dushanbe

A new work book titled “Legal regulations in access to information” is published in Dushanbe. The work book is published by the National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) under support of the Internews Network Office in Tajikistan and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The work book contains systemized and abridged provisions in the Tajik legislation regulating access to information. It also contains samples of legal requests and complaints, which might be of help to media professionals. The book also contains particular recommendations of Russian and Kazakh media researchers.

21 July
All media, Dushanbe

On 21 July, the Tajik National Association of Independent Mass Media (NANSMIT) held a seminar for journalists and representatives of human rights non-governmental organizations. The event was dedicated to the issues of strengthening of the “Network for freedom of expression in Tajikistan”. The seminar was supported by the Internews Network Office in Tajikistan and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Participants of the seminar expressed a desire and a will to consolidate their efforts and create a National Network for Freedom of Expression – TajFEN in order to closer adhere to the international standards of the freedom of expression and strengthen their potential in tackling the problems existing in the media environment. The Network is a voluntary public organization open for other units and alliances.

“TajFEN – is a ground for discussions, exchange of information, joint actions to protect the freedom of expression”, — said Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of NANSMIT. — “We intend to further institutionalize this network”.

26 July
All media, Khorog, GBAO

A two-day seminar on the topic of “Human Rights & Journalism” took place in the city of Khorog, the administrative center of Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province (GBAO).

Participants have gained knowledge in the area of national and international human rights mechanisms. They familiarized themselves with political and civil rights, such as the freedom of expression, fair justice, legal protection, etc.

The seminar was organized by the British Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) within the framework of the project “Protection of Human Rights and Legal Education through the Media in Central Asia” implemented under financial support of the European Commission.

II. VIOLATION OF RIGHTS IN THE MEDIA

1. Impediments to professional activities

15 July
Saidjon Sorbonkhoja, chairman of the Council of Ulems, Khatlon province

At an official meeting of Kurgan-Tube municipal authorities, deputy Mufti of Tajikistan and chairman of the Council of Ulems of Khatlon province Saidjon Sorbonkhoja called for the prohibition of activities of all private mass media. (Ozodagon weekly, #27, 14.07.2010).

“I am asking the public bodies to liquidate the non-government periodicals; otherwise, the authorities should control their activities”, — the religious leader said.

Sorbonkhoja says that the non-government media provoke confrontations and support protests of the people against the authorities. The religious leader referred to particular newspapers – Farazh and Paikon.

The author of the article in the Ozodagon weekly assumes in his article that this request voiced by the religious official was ordered by the local administration. “Whatever they [the authorities] plot, they do through parliamentarians or well-known people; and then, they wait for public reaction”, — the author says. — “Very often, the officials publicly call private newspapers “the yellow press” in retaliation for criticism in their publications.

2. Ungrounded limitation of access to information

15 July
Zebo Tajibaeva, Asia Plus weekly, Dushanbe

One of the Tajik law enforcement agencies’ press center refused to provide information to the correspondent of the Asia Plus weekly Zebo Tajibaeva (Asia Plus, #28 (547), 14 July 2010). The head of the press center told the journalist that the agency refuses to share any information and cooperate with the newspaper because in the recent time it was criticized by the weekly and forgot to mention [in their publications] that the agency had successfully accomplished a special anti-terrorist operation.

Editors of Asia Plus say that this is not the first case of that kind. Very often, the government agencies are not happy about particular headlines, abridged press releases, misprints, etc.

29 July
Zulfikor Ismoliyon, Radio Ozodi, Dushanbe

At a press conference in Dushanbe, the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Farrukh Khamraliev failed to answer a question regarding the incomes of the Tajik national aluminum plant. The question was addressed by a correspondent of Radio Ozodi (Radio Liberty) Zulfikor Ismoliyon. Experts say that this national enterprise, the biggest in the country is controlled by the President and his family, and any financial information about the aluminum smelter is kept находится под замком.

3. Infringement of copyright

22 July
N. Ashurzoda, veteran of the Tajik journalism, Dushanbe

The SSSR weekly (#29, 22 July 2010) published an article by the veteran of the Tajik journalism N. Ashurzoda who complains that many local printing outlets do not pay honoraria to their authors. The journalist compares the existing system with the Soviet one, where the rights of journalists were protected and their social benefits were guaranteed.

III. CONFLICTS. VIOLATIONS INCRIMINATED TO THE MEDIA AND JOURNALISTS

1. Protection of honor, dignity and business reputation

15 July
Jamoliddin Nuraliev, deputy Minister of Finance, Dushanbe

Deputy Minister of Finance Jamoliddin Nuraliev refutes the information in the Tajik media published with the reference to Deutche Welle stating that “he is an alleged founder of the Innovative Road Solution (IRS) company registered in the offshore British Virgin Islands.

The official published its letter in the Asia Plus weekly (#28, 14.07.2010).

The official asked the Tajik private media not to reprint “the private conclusions of the Deutche Welle’s correspondent”, and to get in require information directly from the IRS.

“In case of similar publications, I reserve the right to take a legal action against the media”, — said Nuraliev.

This report is based on compiled materials from the media and private information presented by correspondents of the NANSMIT Monitoring Network

Coordinator of the Monitoring Service
Abdufattokh Vokhidov

Project Manager
Nuriddin Karshibayev

KHUJAND, Tajikistan — A nongovernmental organization that works with homeless children in Tajikistan has been banned after being accused of proselytizing, RFE/RL’s Tajik Service reports.

The court in the northern city of Khujand cited several reasons on July 26 for the ban on Dasti Madad (Helping Hand), including a claim the NGO had engaged in Christian missionary work.

Dasti Madad representatives say the accusation is untrue.

Aleksandra Kolesnikova, a Dasti Madad lawyer, told RFE/RL on July 27 that the NGO was accused of proselytizing because in 2005 a group of young people in the organization left Dasti Madad and set up an organization called Hayoti Javonon (Life of the Youth).

Kolesnikova said Hayoti Javonon distributed gifts from foreign Christian missionary groups to children at official gatherings and special events, in violation of Tajik law. She said the Justice Ministry assumed Dasti Madad was doing the same things.

Kolesnikova said another reason cited by the court for closing the NGO was that its documentation was in Russian, not Tajik, the country’s official language.

Dasti Madad was also criticized because the court said its teaching programs were not based on official school curriculum, even though it was providing a service the government was unable to perform.

Kolesnikova added that Dasti Madad has been active in the country for 11 years and has helped more than 500 homeless children by providing shelter, schooling, and defending their rights.

She said there are only a few NGOs in Tajikistan dedicated to helping homeless or street children — two in Sughd province and one in the capital, Dushanbe.

Dasti Madad’s work has not stopped as its founders have already created a new NGO, Sarchashma (Source), which has been registered with the Justice Ministry. They said they would continue to work with homeless children in Sughd under the new name.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Tajik_Court_Bans_NGO_Helping_Homeless_Children/2112909.html

KABUL — The Afghan cabinet has closed a private television station, RFE/RL’s Radio Free Afghanistan reports.

The government’s closing on July 27 of the Emroz (Today) television channel, owned by Afghan parliament member Najibulla Kabuli, is unprecedented.

Kabuli told Radio Free Afghanistan by phone on July 27 that the government’s decision to shut down his TV station was politically motivated.

He said Emroz has been trying to reveal to viewers «Iran’s interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.» Kabuli accused some politicians and political parties of «pressuring Afghan President Hamid Karzai to close» the station.

Hakim Asher, the head of the Afghan government’s Center for Information and Media, told Radio Free Afghanistan that the decision to close Emroz was made «because the television channel was fueling religious tensions and harming national unity.»

Emroz has aired mainly recreational programs since 2008. It also provided in-depth coverage of several executions of Afghans in neighboring Iran last year.

There are currently more than 20 television stations operating in Afghanistan.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Afghan_Government_Shuts_Down_TV_Station_/2111661.html

The son of former Tajik Prosecutor-General Bobojon Bobokhonov has been arrested on corruption charges, the latest in a string of moves initiated against current or former judicial officials by Bobokhonov’s successor.

The arrest of Faizullo Bobokhonov, a former regional prosecutor, on July 23 in Dushanbe follows the dismissal of 15 regional prosecutors amid graft allegations over the past six months.

The arrest is seen as the climax of an anticorruption effort orchestrated by Prosecutor-General Sherkhon Salimzoda, who in his previous capacity as head of the state anticorruption agency had a longstanding feud with his predecessor as prosecutor-general.

Faizullo Bobokhonov was charged with being an accomplice in a bribe-taking incident involving $20,000 while serving as chief prosecutor of Hisor, a suburban district outside the capital. Bobokhonov was dismissed from that position earlier this year, shortly after his influential father retired as prosecutor-general after serving for 10 years.

Mounting Problem

Prosecutor-General Salimzoda told reporters last week that he was determined to cleanse the judicial system of «elements involved in corruption.»

«We dismissed prosecutors whose subordinates were arrested in connection with corrupt activities, including taking bribes,» Salimzoda said. «The list includes the prosecutors of Vose and Jillikul districts and a deputy prosecutor of Khatlon province, whose subordinates were arrested on corruption charges, including taking bribes in the amount of $500 to $6,000.»

Listed among 20 most corrupt countries in the world by the Transparency International, Tajikistan’s government has come under immense criticism and pressure by international donors to launch an effective anticorruption campaign.

Domestically, too, the state has come under criticism from citizens over rampant bribery, particularly among law-enforcement agencies and the judicial system.

In May 2007, President Emomali Rahmon created a special anticorruption agency. Salimzoda, a former Dushanbe city prosecutor and parliament member who enjoyed a reputation as an assertive antigraft campaigner, was placed in charge of the new state agency.

Homing In

Soon after his appointment, Salimzoda began to focus on the Prosecutor-General’s office headed by Bobojon Bobokhonov, accusing prosecutors of protecting corrupt officials and dismissing high-profile criminal cases in return for bribes.

The anticorruption agency has detained several regional prosecutors and their deputies on bribery charges. Prior to Bobokhonov’s arrest, the most high-profile were the detentions in 2009 of the prosecutor of Muminobod district and deputy prosecutor of Vose district, both in the southern Khatlon Province.

The agency claimed both were caught «red-handed» while accepting bribes, but lacked the authority to detain suspects for longer than three days.

In both cases the Prosecutor-General’s Office, then headed by Bobojon Bobokhonov, succeeded in dismissing both cases and setting the suspects free.

Special Treatment

Salimzoda subsequently convinced parliament to change the law to allow decisions on the extension and modification of detention periods to fall exclusively to the courts.

According to anticorruption agency sources, the agency since its establishment has managed to bring to justice two prosecutors, four judges, and some 30 others within judicial system. Nearly 100 law-enforcement officers and dozens of other officials have also been slapped with corruption charges.

The agency’s activities riled Bobojon Bobokhonov, who as prosecutor-general publicly accused the anticorruption body of «provocations» against prosecutors and the police.

Bobojon Bobokhonov’s office also accused the anticorruption agency itself of involvement in graft, and opened several criminal cases on bribery charges against the agency’s employees.

Clearing The Air…Or Settling A Score?

Claims and counterclaims between the two bodies and the rumored feud between their former heads were well-documented in local media.

In 2009, Salimzoda was transferred from his post as the head of the anticorruption agency, and was appointed as a presidential adviser.

In January 2010, Bobokhonov unexpectedly retired from the prosecutor-general’s post, fueling rumors that he had done so under pressure.

Days later, Salimzoda was appointed as prosecutor-general.

The dismissal of regional prosecutors began shortly after Salimzoda’s appointment.

Many Tajiks have welcomed the prosecutors’ removals, while others suspect revenge could be at play, noting that many were close associates of the former prosecutor-general.

RFE/RL’s Tajik Service contributed to this report

Farangis Najibullah, RFE/RL

Источник: http://www.rferl.org/content/Tajik_ProsecutorGenerals_Antigraft_Efforts_Target_Predecessors_Son/2108

The Farazh weekly (#29, 21 July 2010) published an article criticizing the Innovative Road Solutions company – the one responsible for technical maintenance of the newly rehabilitated highway Dushanbe – Chanak.

In the last few months, the company has been widely criticized in the Tajik media for its tolling operations and unreasonably high tariffs. According to the President’s decree #622 “On obligatory response to criticism and analytical publications in the media”, public officials must timely provide their feedback. So far, the IRS has not provided the public with any intelligible explanation.

The Farazh has also published a list of recent publications in other media, which concern the company’s doubtful activities and tariff policies. This topic was widely discussed in online media as well in both Tajik and Russian languages and received feedback from individuals.

Neither officials from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, nor representatives of the President’s Office have given any feedback on those publications. Even representatives of the Tajik political parties and local executive authorities did not express their opinions on that, which is interpreted by media experts and human rights watchdogs as a violation of the Constitution and other relevant legal acts. The newspaper comes to the conclusion that the veil of silence and reluctance of officials have led to numerous publications and provoked rumors among the people.

NANSMIT-TajFEN

“Both media and human right organizations must unite into a single network to tackle the problems in the freedom of speech”.

This conclusion was made at a seminar “Strengthening the network facilitating the freedom of expression in Tajikistan” held on 21 July in Dushanbe. The event was organized by the National Association of Independent Media, Tajikistan (NANSMIT) with support from Internews Network and funded by USAID.

Participants of the seminar discussed the issues related to the freedom of expression in the country. They analyzed actions of the media and human rights watchdogs and shared their views on the activities of global and regional networks for freedom of expression. Participants also discussed the results of ongoing monitoring in this area and topical problems in the Tajik media.

Participants noted that there is a lack of cooperation between the media and human rights organizations, some of which are reluctant to publicize their reports in fear of reprisals from the authorities. Certain NGOs working in the sphere of human rights are afraid of a non-professional coverage of their activities by journalists. At the same time, media professionals are still practicing self-censorship. There are many problems related to the practical use of the freedom of speech and other civil rights among professionals and public at large. There is a vital necessity of strengthening cooperation between the human rights NGOs and the media; there is a need to enhance the knowledge of laws among journalists.

The use of new information-communication technologies in the strengthening of the freedom of speech and the techniques for collection of reports were two other important topics discussed at the seminar.

Participants came to the conclusion that it would be feasible to create a network facilitating the freedom of speech in Tajikistan, and it might be called TajFEN, i.e. “Tajik Freedom of Speech Network”. According to the authors of this idea, the main purpose of such a network is to consolidate the media and the human rights organizations in their endeavors. Creators of the network express their adherence to the international standards of free expression. The network should be created as a voluntary association of organizations, which always remain open for other potential members.

“TajFEN must become a platform for discussions; it is meant for exchange of information and discussion of problems in the sphere of freedom of speech and the media; it should be designed for joint actions to protect the freedom of expression”, — said Nuriddin Karshibaev, chairman of NANSMIT. — “We are intending to develop future actions to institutionalize and strengthen this network”, — he added.

The seminar was attended by the Tajik Human Rights Bureau, NANSMIT, the Tajik Union of Journalists, the public union “Khoma”, the public union “Journalist”, the IWPR office in Tajikistan and TajANESMI.

Among the observers were representatives of USAID, OSCE, the US Embassy in Dushanbe and Internews Network.

NANSMIT Monitoring Network

According to the Tajik Youth Committee under the government, a group of Pakistani journalists came to Tajikistan to support a visit of the head of the Pakistani Investments Agency, Mr. Salim Mandivala.

The journalists are going to visit spectacular tourist places – Varzob valley, Romit and Gissar.

It should be noted that in May-June 2010, two groups of journalists from Europe and the US visited Tajikistan at the invitation of the Tajik Committee on Youth, Tourism and Sports. The main purpose of these visits is to attract investments for Tajikistan’s economy, and the tourism sector in particular.

Asia Plus

Schools have been closed for the summer holidays, but learning hasn’t stopped for many children in the eastern Tajik valley of Rasht, a picturesque and remote mountainous area once known as a bastion of the country’s Islamic opposition.

It seems to be a growing trend in the Rasht Valley that parents send their children to local mullahs to get what they consider basic religious education and ethics.

Such classes are not sanctioned and their curriculum is not checked or verified by education authorities.

According to children who attend these informal classes, mullahs teach them the Arabic alphabet and basic knowledge of Islam along with moral principles, such as respecting parents. Some mullahs even use Farsi-Tajik classic literature masterpieces, notably the medieval-period poets Saadi and Hafez’s works for teaching moral principles for children.
One Rasht parent, Hikoyat Dodarkhojaeva, says her two sons’ behavior has improved significantly since they started learning religious values and ethnics from their local mullah. They have become more obedient and respectful, the mother says proudly.

Parents in Rasht complain that public schools don’t teach children the moral codes, family values, and religious principles they reckon are «very important» for children’s upbringing.

Tajikistan has outlawed unsanctioned madrasahs along with unregistered mosques. Mullahs in Rasht, too, have been banned from running religious classes.

Rasht is considered to be one of the most religious and conservative areas in the predominantly Muslim country. It was a stronghold of the Islamic opposition forces that fought against President Emomali Rahmon’s secular government during the five-year civil war in the 1990s.

The government in Dushanbe has brought the valley under its full control but some small-scale skirmishes — linked to former opposition elements — still take place in the area from time to time.

It is a widespread belief that many local residents in Rasht still treat the central government with suspicion.

Rasht residents, however, do not link their children’s religious education classes to being conservative or overly religious.

And parents don’t call these de facto classes «schooling» or «madrasah.» For them it’s merely «spending a few hours with a respectful mullah to learn moral values.»

Farangis Najibullah, RFE/RL

Источник: http://www.rferl.org/content/Lessons_In_Morality_In_Eastern_Tajikistan_/2104200.html

Not a single Central Asian nation is among the ten of the happiest countries in the world.

Northern European countries — Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden — top Gallup’s World Poll (GWP) of the happiest countries.

According to the poll, Turkmenistan, which came in 18th place on the GWP list, is the happiest Central Asian nation. Surprisingly, it ranked above wealthier Western countries like Italy, Germany, and France.

Apparently happiness isn’t related to civil liberties.

GWP researchers say they «measured» people’s happiness by asking respondents in 155 countries to reflect on their overall satisfaction with their lives, and ranked their answers using a «life evaluation» score from 1 to 10. Respondents were also asked about their «daily experiences» — including whether they felt well-rested, respected, and free of pain and intellectually engaged.

Assessing the poll, Forbes.com writes that «by and large, rich countries are happier.» But if this is so, how to explain Kazakhstan — the richest country in Central Asia — being ranked 70th in the happy index, far below the poverty-stricken Malawi (63rd).

Uzbekistan, which is ranked 85th, could console itself with the fact that came in just a few places behind wealthy Japan (81st).

The poll found Tajikistan, which came in 130th, to be the least happy country in Central Asia, worse than even its war-torn neighbor, Afghanistan (115th). Just another reason to get depressed.

http://www.rferl.org/content/Not_A_Very_Happy_Place/2103150.html

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has said it would send a 52-member police force to southern Kyrgyzstan.

Herbert Salber, director of the OSCE Conflict Prevention Center, told reporters on July 16 the pan-European security bloc and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to dispatch the group to the regions of Osh and Jalal-Abad.

He was speaking during an informal meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, ahead of the July 17 meeting of foreign ministers from the 56-member OSCE.

The gathering in Almaty is focused on what is happening across the border in Kyrgyzstan, where violence erupted in the country’s south in June.

Salber said that the group would comprise «52 policemen representing the OSCE member states,» and an OSCE statement added that 50 more officers could later be sent. Salber gave no precise time frame for any possible mission, but the press release said the advisory group would spend four months in Kyrgyzstan.

The advisory group still requires unanimous approval, which could come when the ministers and other officials gather on July 17.

Bloody Ethnic Clashes

Clashes between ethnic Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks in the Osh and Jalal-Abad regions left at least 309 dead and displaced another 400,000.

With Kyrgyz officials estimating that some 2,500 homes, more than 100 commercial buildings, and 10 government buildings were destroyed or suffered major damage during the unrest, the situation remains volatile.

Ahead of the meeting, two foreign ministers were visiting Osh, Kyrgyzstan’s second-largest city, to assess the situation for themselves.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner are flying into the city as part of a fact-finding tour that will also take them to Bishkek, where they will meet with President Roza Otunbaeva.

The OSCE meeting — taking place at the Ak-Bulak resort outside Almaty — comes amid a rising chorus of voices calling on the organization to take a more active role in helping stabilize the country.
The OSCE Parliamentary Assembly’s special envoy for Central Asia had urged the organization to send international police to Kyrgyzstan to provide technical advice to local security forces.

Kimmo Kiljunen told reporters last month that he thought the presence of international police advisers could «create an atmosphere of trust» that could help ease tensions. He added that he was recommending a force that would not include «peacekeepers in the military terms» but rather be «an international police operation to offer technical advice.»

Kiljunen also said EU foreign ministers have discussed the option of sending police to provide crisis-management support. However, the European Union itself has yet to indicate it has any plans to do so.

The Kyrgyz government has joined the call for an international police presence, with Otunbaeva saying hours before the gathering that such a mission is needed for maintaining security in Osh.

«These [international police] forces will work temporarily, within a limited period of four months here,» Otunbaeva said. «We are going to reconstruct the city [of Osh]. For instance, they are needed for maintaining security in the city of Osh. They will be unarmed.»

International Inquiry Needed

In addition to an international police force, there are also expectations that the OSCE will lead an international investigation into the June events.

Otunbaeva on July 16 agreed to a proposal that an international commission, to be headed by Kiljunen, be formed to look into the unrest. The commission would include representatives of the OSCE, EU, and the UN, and Otunbaeva said it should work closely with the Kyrgyz investigative commission.

During a joint news conference with Westerwelle in Osh, French Foreign Minister Kouchner said, «We would like to know who these groups are that provoked these incidents. These incidents and animosities go back a long way, but there were clearly provocations in this case and we want to know about them. So we support this proposal for an international investigative commission.»

Ole Solvang, a researcher for Human Rights Watch, told RFE/RL from Bishkek that the Kyrgyz government and the OSCE have discussed the subject in the run-up to the Almaty conference.

«We do know that there have been discussions going on, there have been discussions between the government and the OSCE about an international police force,» Solvang says,» and there have also been discussions between the Kyrgyz government and various actors about an international investigation and it is very much our hope that the OSCE meeting in Almaty this weekend will take that discussion forward.»

Security Questions

Human Rights Watch earlier this month issued a call for the OSCE to send police forces and open an international investigation. The group reported on July 14 widespread cases of torture and arbitrary detentions in southern Kyrgyzstan of Uzbeks suspected of participation in the June violence.

If the OSCE ministers and high representatives discuss the calls for a police mission and an international investigation, a major question would be how to balance the organization’s interests with those of the region’s own multinational security grouping, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

The CSTO, which is led by Russia and includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, is already sending equipment and funds to Bishkek to bolster the capabilities of Kyrgyz security forces. The CSTO has so far resisted sending any international police forces, despite early calls from Bishkek to do so.

This weekend’s OSCE meeting is also expected to discuss topics ranging from European security to engagement with Afghanistan and possible topics for an OSCE summit.

Kazakhstan, which currently heads the OSCE, has said it hopes to host a formal summit of the organization this year. The group’s last major summit was in Istanbul in 1999.

Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty

Источник: http://www.rferl.org/content/OSCE_Foreign_Ministers_Meet_In_Almaty_On_Kyrgyzstan/2101664.html