The Central Asian states are facing major threats from a nascent drug trade, which proceeds through the porous borders of the region. The situation has become alarming with its weak regimes proving wholly ineffective in curtailing the growing criminalization of their political economy and the rising corruption in the region. An economic recession in Central Asia since 1991 has led to drug trafficking mushrooming into an organized sector involving smugglers from Southeast Asia and corrupt border security forces of countries like Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The capital generated from the illicit drug trade has been pumped into the legitimate business distorting economy and providing employment opportunities dependent on the drug trade.
The price of drugs like heroin has remained constant in China and Central Asia although there has been a sporadic rise in their consumption. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are likely to be affected in near term future with the old networks in Afghanistan remaining intact and an expansion of operations in the eastern borders likely by the drug syndicates. The high quantum of seizures indicates that the production and trading of drugs has increased in volume. Conflicts between the competing drug lords for extending their respective sphere of influence has resulted in criminalization of the social order and made the region very dependent on the narcotics trade.
The health scenario is also in a dismal state with rising levels of AIDS and Hepatitis C and one percent of the region’s population succumbing to drug addiction. A UN report released in September clearly establishes the link between the growth in drug trade and HIV cases. It is estimated that around 1.2 million people in the region are infected with HIV; 250,000 new cases were estimated last year. Apart from the use of shared needles, the crisis has been accentuated with a rise in human trafficking along with drug trafficking, resulting in the spread of AIDS. It is estimated that around 20,000 people die of AIDS in the Commonwealth of Independent States each year. If suitable actions are not taken the situation could reach epidemic proportions.
The present scenario seems dismal with the regions afflicted by the drug trade being politically unstable and in conflict with the central government in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China (Xinjiang region). Added to this are the presence of authoritarian regimes with scant regard for human rights, and civil societies that are fragmented on ethnic lines, Central Asia has emerged as the main route between the largest drug producing region in the world and the markets in the western hemisphere. The Central Asian regimes are under great pressure given the success of Iran in preventing the traffickers from operating in its territory, which has resulted in the Central Asian region being used as a transit route for drugs from Southeast Asia and China.
These trends clearly indicate an increase in social violence and there are legitimate fears about the rise of terrorist outfits backed by the drug trade as evidenced by rise of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in 1999. This movement controlled 70 percent of the drug trade between Afghanistan and Central Asia, and launched armed incursions under the garb of jihad to open new routes for drug trafficking. Moreover, refugee camps also played a vital role outside their respective countries in performing conduit functions across borders while supporting insurgencies against their respective governments - Afghanistan produced over three million refuges, while Tajikistan generated around 50,000 refugees.
These developments call for a global campaign to curtail not only the trade in narcotics but to engage the Central Asian societies in constructive efforts for nation building, promotion of democracy and health programmes. So far, US engagement has primarily dealt with strategic objectives like destroying the Al-Queda outfits and exploring alternative sources for energy security. The recent attempts by Russia for setting up bases are also influenced by a similar logic, apart from checking the widening American presence in its backyard. Drug trade continues to flourish in an unhindered manner though major insurgencies have been contained.
With the demise of the mighty Soviet empire and its security apparatus, better coordination at the regional level in terms of management of borders and interaction between the governments could deter the criminal syndicates from launching cross border uprisings. There is also a need for strong enforcement of international laws and strengthening the socio-political structures in the region.
Published on 27 November 2003, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
URL:
http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=1215
The price of drugs like heroin has remained constant in China and Central Asia although there has been a sporadic rise in their consumption. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are likely to be affected in near term future with the old networks in Afghanistan remaining intact and an expansion of operations in the eastern borders likely by the drug syndicates. The high quantum of seizures indicates that the production and trading of drugs has increased in volume. Conflicts between the competing drug lords for extending their respective sphere of influence has resulted in criminalization of the social order and made the region very dependent on the narcotics trade.
The health scenario is also in a dismal state with rising levels of AIDS and Hepatitis C and one percent of the region’s population succumbing to drug addiction. A UN report released in September clearly establishes the link between the growth in drug trade and HIV cases. It is estimated that around 1.2 million people in the region are infected with HIV; 250,000 new cases were estimated last year. Apart from the use of shared needles, the crisis has been accentuated with a rise in human trafficking along with drug trafficking, resulting in the spread of AIDS. It is estimated that around 20,000 people die of AIDS in the Commonwealth of Independent States each year. If suitable actions are not taken the situation could reach epidemic proportions.
The present scenario seems dismal with the regions afflicted by the drug trade being politically unstable and in conflict with the central government in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and China (Xinjiang region). Added to this are the presence of authoritarian regimes with scant regard for human rights, and civil societies that are fragmented on ethnic lines, Central Asia has emerged as the main route between the largest drug producing region in the world and the markets in the western hemisphere. The Central Asian regimes are under great pressure given the success of Iran in preventing the traffickers from operating in its territory, which has resulted in the Central Asian region being used as a transit route for drugs from Southeast Asia and China.
These trends clearly indicate an increase in social violence and there are legitimate fears about the rise of terrorist outfits backed by the drug trade as evidenced by rise of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan in 1999. This movement controlled 70 percent of the drug trade between Afghanistan and Central Asia, and launched armed incursions under the garb of jihad to open new routes for drug trafficking. Moreover, refugee camps also played a vital role outside their respective countries in performing conduit functions across borders while supporting insurgencies against their respective governments - Afghanistan produced over three million refuges, while Tajikistan generated around 50,000 refugees.
These developments call for a global campaign to curtail not only the trade in narcotics but to engage the Central Asian societies in constructive efforts for nation building, promotion of democracy and health programmes. So far, US engagement has primarily dealt with strategic objectives like destroying the Al-Queda outfits and exploring alternative sources for energy security. The recent attempts by Russia for setting up bases are also influenced by a similar logic, apart from checking the widening American presence in its backyard. Drug trade continues to flourish in an unhindered manner though major insurgencies have been contained.
With the demise of the mighty Soviet empire and its security apparatus, better coordination at the regional level in terms of management of borders and interaction between the governments could deter the criminal syndicates from launching cross border uprisings. There is also a need for strong enforcement of international laws and strengthening the socio-political structures in the region.
Published on 27 November 2003, Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies.
URL:
http://www.ipcs.org/comm_select.php?articleNo=1215
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