Shirin Akiner is a Lecturer at the London-based School of Oriental and African Studies, specialising in Central Asian studies.

Read more from Shirin:

Accord Issue 10: Tajikistan

Shirin Akiner is a contributor to our Accord publication series and not a staff member of Conciliation Resources. The views expressed in the publication are their own and do not reflect the position of Conciliation Resources. We cannot share contributors' contact details.