IWPR

Turkmen-Russian Pipeline Still Likely

No Privatisation for Strategic Energy, Metals Plants

The Tajik government has decided that the giant TADAZ aluminium plant and two major hydroelectric power stations will be excluded from future privatisation programmes.

New Law Encourages Blood Donation

Tajikistan has introduced legislation banning the export of blood and offering incentives to donors.

Protection for Rare Wild Sheep Angers Local Hunters

A two-year moratorium on hunting the arkhar, an endangered species of wild sheep found in the mountains of Tajikistan, has angered hunters in Badakhshan region.

Bride Theft Custom Fuels Divorce Rate

Eight out of ten divorces in Kyrgyzstan involve brides who were “stolen” by their husbands, women’s rights groups say.

Common Energy Plan for Central Asia Still Far Off

Many Women Deprived of Inheritance

Custom and law dictate that when family members die, male relations inherit most of their estates.

Targeting of Cyber Dissidents Continues

Three-year jail term for internet postings suggests thaw in Syrian-western relations has yet to translate into changes in domestic policy.

Iraq: Feb ‘09

Election monitoring officials say they will be more vigilant in future following IWPR report on ballot violations.

Tribe Seeks Recognition in Census

As a nationwide census gets under way in Kyrgyzstan, one group in the south of the country is seeking to register as a hitherto unrecognised nation.