On 7 October, Freedom For Eurasia hosted an insightful and impactful event that took place on the margins of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights Conference in Warsaw, Poland. The event brought together experts, advocates, and policymakers to address the pressing issues of kleptocracy and corruption in Central Asia. The event explored how these challenges are undermining human rights and democratic reforms in the region.
Event Highlights:
The centerpiece of the event was a panel discussion featuring prominent scholars, activists, and policymakers with deep experience in tracking and combating kleptocratic regimes. Key themes discussed included:
- Understanding Kleptocracy: Analyzing the origins and operations of kleptocratic systems in Central Asia.
- Impact on Human Rights: How corruption continues to erode human rights protections, leading to cycles of oppression and inequality.
- Challenges to Democratic Reform: Exploring the significant hurdles to democratic progress, especially how kleptocracy is embedded in governance structures.
- Sanctions as a Tool for Change: Evaluating the effectiveness of sanctions in targeting corrupt regimes, with real-life case studies and lessons learned.
The event provided a platform for experts and attendees alike to discuss actionable strategies for advocacy, policy intervention, and international cooperation aimed at tackling corruption and promoting human rights and democratic values in Central Asia.
Distinguished Panelists:
Thomas Mayne – Director at Freedom for Eurasia and Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, with expertise in anti-money laundering and grand corruption.
Marius Fossum – Regional Representative for the Norwegian Helsinki Committee in Central Asia, based in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Leila Nazgul Seiitbek – Chairwoman of Freedom for Eurasia and a human rights advocate, exiled from Kyrgyzstan.
Amanda Strayer (via Zoom) – Senior Counsel at Human Rights First, specializing in using sanctions to hold corrupt actors accountable.
The event concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, allowing participants to engage directly with the panelists and contribute their ideas and solutions to the ongoing fight against kleptocracy.
