Kazakhstan’s longest-serving political prisoner dies Aron Atabek died weeks after being released in failing health. Joanna Lillis Nov 24, 2021
Uzbekistan undermines reformist credentials with ban on foreign journalist The day before, the president promised accountability for officials who interfere with media freedoms. Joanna Lillis Nov 8, 2021
Uzbek president pledges constitutional reform Under a new constitution, Shavkat Mirziyoyev could argue that he is eligible to run again in future elections. It's worked before. Joanna Lillis Nov 7, 2021
Uzbekistan: Outraged netizens win partial victory over social media blocks The president signed legislation that shuttered the sites. Then after an outcry, he saved the day. Joanna Lillis Nov 3, 2021
Uzbekistan: Yes to political thaw, no to political opposition The president is popular. But he’s still not ready to allow a genuine opponent in elections this Sunday. Joanna Lillis Oct 18, 2021
Uzbekistan: Spot the invisible election campaign The incumbent dominates TV screens and frontpages, while his ostensible challengers are barely visible. Joanna Lillis Oct 12, 2021
Kazakhstan jails political dissidents in fresh crackdown All the defendants are strident government critics, but their dissidence was confined to online attacks and tiny street protests. Joanna Lillis Oct 11, 2021
Kazakhstan: Ailing political prisoner freed after 15 years behind bars Aron Atabek had refused to seek parole because he insisted on his innocence. Joanna Lillis Oct 4, 2021
Kazakhstan: Artists invoke spirits to save endangered ecosystem City authorities plan to turn the area into a landscaped park. Joanna Lillis Sep 10, 2021
Kazakhstan’s golden man gets the Oliver Stone treatment The documentary spans over an exhausting eight hours. Joanna Lillis Jul 7, 2021
Kazakhstan: Black market in fake coronavirus passports booms Conspiracy theories have fueled the low update for vaccination. Joanna Lillis Jul 2, 2021
Kazakhstan: Endangered antelope bounces back The saiga population has rocketed by 150 percent in the last two years. Joanna Lillis May 28, 2021
Kazakhstan’s rare antelope makes baby steps toward revival The government’s conservation efforts are boosting the endangered saigas’ numbers. Joanna Lillis May 24, 2021
Kazakhstan: Trial over deadly ethnic violence leaves bitter taste for Dungans The state’s taboo on addressing ethnic tensions has allowed them to fester. Joanna Lillis Apr 28, 2021
Kazakhstan: Vaccination campaign proceeds at snail’s pace Only 0.25 percent of the population aged over 15 have had the first injection. Joanna Lillis Mar 11, 2021
Protest, prison and politics: The making of an activist in Kazakhstan “I did not serve four-and-a-half years in prison to come out and keep quiet.” Joanna Lillis Feb 26, 2021
Kazakhstan: Authorities punish NGOs that called out vote irregularities Advocacy groups say this pressure shows the authorities are not serious about political reform. Joanna Lillis Jan 20, 2021
Kazakhstan: Civil society complains of pre-election pressure Authorities have decided to inspect their tax returns just before parliamentary elections. Joanna Lillis Dec 7, 2020
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev-linked billionaire sucked into UK court battle The surprise asset freeze has sparked speculation of possible elite infighting. Joanna Lillis Dec 2, 2020
Kazakhstan: Too close for comfort in the age of coronavirus Officials concede their exhortations to maintain social distance have had little impact. Joanna Lillis Aug 17, 2020
Kazakhstan: Grieving families count human cost of coronavirus Families of the dead blame corruption for undermining the healthcare service, and the government for failing to prepare in earlier stages of the pandemic. Joanna Lillis Jul 20, 2020
Kazakhstan’s Dungan community stunned by spasm of deadly bloodletting Eyewitnesses told Eurasianet that mobs of Kazakhs attacked the village from two sides, armed with stones, metal bars and firearms. Joanna Lillis Feb 10, 2020
Kazakhstan: The mothers that became the faces of dissent Government critics argue that the ruling has transformed the protestors, three of whom are mothers of young children, into political martyrs. Joanna Lillis Nov 21, 2019
Who really is Kazakhstan’s leader of the nation? The consensus among Kazakhstan watchers is that the former president is trying to contain his successor. Joanna Lillis Oct 25, 2019
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev takes back control The surprise move appears to confirm talk of a power struggle. Joanna Lillis Oct 21, 2019
