Leaving behind schools, hospitals, and government offices, each harvest season thousands of citizens are forced to labor across cotton fields in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Not only does it leave vital government services understaffed, but it also means despite claims to the contrary, forced labor is still woven into cotton production in Central Asia. […]
Source: Radio Free Europe
Turkmenistan cotton harvest tainted by state-sponsored forced labor
Right now, it’s cotton-picking season in Turkmenistan and the authoritarian government is using the forced labor of thousands of teachers, health-care workers, and other state employees to collect the harvest. State agencies in eastern Lebap Province have reportedly been ordered to send 50 percent of their staff to pick cotton during weekdays and all employees […]
Туркменский активист Гаспар Маталаев вышел из заключения (Turkmen activist Gaspar Matalaev released from prison)
Kyrgyzstan Sentences ‘Bride Kidnapping’ Killer
Kyrgyzstan has sentenced a man to 20 years in jail for kidnapping his bride and proceeding to kill her. Sverdlov District court in Bishkek found Mars Bodoshev, 29, guilty of abducting Burulai Turdaaly Kyzy to force her to marry him, and of killing her. It is a case that has sparked public outcry. Akmat Seiitov, […]