FYI: I don't really log on here much anymore. I may occasionally, but not reliably. If you need me for professional things, my contact info is on The Diplomat's website. 🖖

President Japarov’s been consolidating power in Kyrgyzstan by weakening the opposition, the civil society, and the country’s vibrant independent media. @AigiTurgunbaeva & I spoke to Kyrgyzstan’s leading journalists about the erosion of their press freedom. thediplomat.com/2024/06/keep…

Thank you @ConversationUS for publishing my piece "‘He just vanished’−missing activists highlight #Tajikistan’s disturbing use of #EnforcedDisappearances" incl. breaking news on the latest kidnappings in #Istanbul of #SuhrobZafar #NasimjonSharipov rb.gy/6k3mzb

🇰🇿🇺🇿 Today, March 18, the prosecutor's office of the Bostandyk district of Almaty #Kazakhstan decided to extend the arrest of civil activist Aqylbek Muratov (Muratbai) @muratbaiman for up to 12 months. Whereas the Prosecutor General's Office of #Uzbekistan assures that the prosecution of the Karakalpak human rights activist "has no political motives." Recall, Aqylbek Muratbai is being prosecuted for publishing footage from the official video broadcast of the OSCE conference #WarsawHDC and for the action of remembrance for the victims of the suppression of protests in the Republic of #Karakalpakstan.

Hearing v. disturbing news that Karakalpak human rights defender Aqylbek Muratbai was arrested yesterday in #Kazakhstan, reportedly at the request of #Uzbekistan, & is at risk of refoulement. He should be allowed immediate contact with a lawyer & released @KazakhPM_UNOG @uzbekmfa

“Fear is central to the government’s grip on power in Tajikistan,” “Every arrest, case of torture, extrajudicial killing and kidnapping sends a signal to journalists, activists, community leaders, and lawyers about the cost of challenging the regime." thediplomat.com/2023/08/the-…

"Even without a bureau, we are in constant contact with our audience." Two years after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, @Azadi_English's @QadirHabib and @MalaliBashir tell @Diplomat_APAC's @LadyPutz how Radio Azadi has become more vital than ever: thediplomat.com/2023/05/an-i…

“Fear is central to the government’s grip on power in Tajikistan,” @EdwardLemon3 tells @LadyPutz buff.ly/47xhomI

I spoke with @LadyPutz from @Diplomat_APAC about the dire situation of Human Rights Defenders in #Tajikistan, and the need for the EU to ensure Human Rights Defenders are given an amnesty as part of EU GSP negotiations with Dushanbe. thediplomat.com/2023/08/the-…

Today, more Central Asians are asking themselves: Why do we continue to speak the language of a neighboring country that once occupied us, and not our native languages? My piece on erasure of cultural memory & new identities in Central Asia @Diplomat_APAC thediplomat.com/2023/07/cent…

Back to reading on trains 👀🛥️🔱

How President Mirziyoyev describes Uzbekistan is dramatically different in reality. Uzbekistan is still a police state in many ways. Trying to do a standup about the inauguration, I was stopped by 9 officers - one-by-one - within the two blocks of the Uzbek Senate, inauguration location. No way to shoot anything relevant. I was not even allowed to use a theater as a backdrop. So, to cover Mirziyoyev’s inaugural speech promising openness, transparency, and the rule of law, I gotta find a spot in Tashkent where no one will hinder my freedom as a reporter. I get it if they have prohibited areas for security purposes. But there is simply no logic in restricting journalists from reporting outside the Senate and the presidential palace. They need at least some special spots there for media to work from.

Happy to do so! It's a very important investigation. Sharing again here: rferl.org/a/kyrgyz-kazakh-fi…

Join us tomorrow at 5 pm for Central Asia Happy Hour in DC! eventbrite.com/e/central-asi…

People chanted "shame" as activist Aigerim Tleuzhan and her co-defendants were jailed over Bloody January airport seizure - but where were the 20,000 terrorists Tokayev spoke of? @eurasianet on anger over latest activist jailings in #Kazakhstan eurasianet.org/kazakhstan-st…

A report based on @LadyPutz interview with the U.S. ambassador to Kyrgyzstan.:(thediplomat.com/2023/07/taki…)

When I was in Bishkek recently I had the opportunity to interview Amb. Lesslie Viguerie at @USEmbassyKG about the state of US-Kyrgyzstan relations. I asked about the long-awaited bilateral cooperation agreement and much more. Check it out: thediplomat.com/2023/07/taki…

Until last month, a person aged 13 or older in #Japan had to prove that they had resisted sexual advances, to be able to prove that any encounter was non-consensual and thereby rape. After 116 years, the age of #consent for sex has been finally raised to 16. What took so long?🧵