ABSTRACT
The current global war on terrorism is in many ways affecting Central Asian societies to a greater extent than many other parts of the world. Uzbekistan has suffered more than other countries in the region from terrorist attacks. Since Uzbekistan has been the main terrorist target in Central Asia and its human rights situation has also become an object for international criticism, especially after the British Ambassador, Craig Murray publicly accused the government of Uzbekistan of systematically torturing people. The main problem affecting all areas of public life in Uzbekistan, including human rights, is the lack of genuine economic reforms and political freedoms, and corruption. Kazakhstan, which has a large non-Muslim population and is the regions most economically advanced nation, has not had any terrorist attacks by Islamist militants. The defendants in this first terrorism trial in Kazakhstan are alleged to be members of the Jamoat Mujahedeen.
