Regional News
Tajik woman and children living in container for years
Life in a rusty container: A Tajik woman with small children has been living in a metal container for several years 11.06.2025 Article published on the rus.azattyq.org website Thirty-six year old Mekhvaroi Rakhimova from a village in Tajikistan has been living in a metal container with her two young daughters for several …
Russian Duma Deputy drafting legislation to combat domestic violence
The Russian Duma Deputy is drafting legislation to combat domestic violence 06.06.2025 Article published on the ASI website Amendments are being proposed to Part 2 of Article 115 of the Russian Federation’s Criminal Code on “Intentional infliction of minor bodily harm”. TASS reports that the State Duma deputy Ksenia Goryacheva of …
Armenia’s Justice System Excludes Persons with Psychosocial Disabilities
Authorities Should Ensure Equal Access to Due Process 04.06.2025 Vahagn Petrosyan was 36 years old when a court stripped him of his legal capacity in September 2015, claiming his psychosocial disability prevented him from being able to make his own decisions. For years he endured neglect and violence in institutions, without the right to control …
Almost half Russian patients with rare diseases stopped treatment due to drug shortages
Survey shows nearly half of Russian patients with rare diseases interrupted treatment in 2024 due to drug shortages The Insider 4 June 2025 17:47 Photo: gazeta.ru Nearly 46.5% of Russian patients with rare diseases were forced to interrupt treatment last year due to drug shortages, according to a public opinion survey conducted in December 2024 …
Tougher prison conditions for ‘terrorists’ and foreigners in Russia
Prison conditions to be toughened for those convicted of “extremism”, including foreigners 03.06.2025 Article published on the moscowtimes.ru website Russia is drawing up additional restrictions on the movement of prisoners between penal colonies in different regions. A bill to this effect has been drafted by the Ministry of Justice and was supported …
Lessons on ‘spirituality’ to be taught in Russian schools from 2026
Lessons on ‘spirituality’ to be taught in Russian schools from 2026 03.06.2025 Article published on the moscowtimes.ru website According to TASS, the Russian Government will introduce a new propogandist school subject “The Spiritual and Moral Culture of Russia” from 1 September next year. “This world outlook course” will be mandatory for fifth …
Poverty Rate in Moldova is Falling but Remains High, Especially in Rural Areas
The poverty rate in the Republic of Moldova has seen a slight decline in recent years; however, it remains significantly high, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Experts highlight a substantial disparity between rural and urban residents, emphasising the need for targeted measures to address these differences. 02.06.2025 Many people believe …
Human Rights groups’ report claims child and forced labour still used for cotton picking in Turkmenistan
How Turkmenistan uses child and forced labour in cotton picking – a new report 29.05.2025 Article published on the rus.azattyq.org website A coalition of human rights advocates has released a 2024 report, revealing how Turkmenistan uses forced labour in gathering the cotton harvest. The country is the world’s 14th largest cotton producer. …
Russia: new online resource for teenagers
A system navigator to help teenagers in Russia has been launched by the National Media Group 28.05.2025 Article published on the ASI website The federal website dlyapodrostkov.rf (forteenagers.rf) is an online resource where teenagers, parents and teachers can find reliable help and support. The navigator features organisations and programmes where support …
HPV vaccination and the fight against cervical cancer in Central Asia
The fight against cervical cancer in Central Asia 27.05.2025 Article published on the rus.azattyq.org website Central Asian countries are trying to prevent a disease that claims the lives of hundreds of women every year – cervical cancer. It is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), against which an effective vaccine has long …