Kazakhstan is experiencing a rise in religious and political extremism, just as some of its neighboring states are (WAR Report and WAR Report). The proliferation of radical groups, violent and non-violent, points to underlying issues that may pose a long-term risk to the region. Kazakhstan’s issues must be discussed in the context of Central Asia’s extended dilemma with extremist growth, as the issues, indeed, are transnational.
Threats
Authorities in Kazakhstan blame most of the extremism reported there on regional neighbors, claiming that volatility elsewhere has a contagious effect on the region. Many religious extremists are known to operate in Kazakhstan despite their expulsion from the country. Islamist extremist groups?al-Qaeda , the Islamic Party of East Turkestan and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU; Group Profile)–continue to infiltrate the country. The migration of these groups represents a great concern since violent radical cells from the North Caucasus and the Middle East find their way to Kazakhstan and other Central Asian states in search for safe havens and logistical, financial, and operational support. Since 2001, Kazak law enforcement officers have made numerous arrests of Chechen rebel fighters mobilizing and staging attacks in their country. Foreign groups are also known to join forces with local networks with similar agendas, creating an additional peril.
Proliferation of Radical Groups
The underlying causes that contribute to the proliferation of extremist networks must be identified before they can be resolved. The Kazak government follows the footsteps of its hard-line neighbors in contributing to prevalent social frustrations by violating the civil rights of its citizens.
Criticism of local authorities using the Global War on Terrorism to mask their quieting of political and religious dissent while repressing innocent groups and violating fundamental democratic values has arisen. One example is the banning of the radical group Hizb-ut-Tahrir that seeks to overturn the government through non-violent means. This group has recruited large numbers of followers, especially youth, who sympathize with their cause and share their discontent with the incumbent governments .
Human rights violations have outraged the populace. This tension, in turn, has created a vulnerability that radical propagators seek to take advantage of. The growth of extremism originates in the societal problems that exist in Central Asia, including Kazakhstan. The core issues lie in poor socio-economic conditions: unemployment, corruption, and low living standards. Frustrated sectors of society are drawn to radicals who promise to improve their lot. Deprived demographic conditions facilitate the expansion of both national and foreign extremists who are recruiting increased numbers of sympathizers .
Current Counter-Measurements
Regional governments have realized the importance of operational collaboration and are joining forces in combating the threat of radical Islam. Several joint security operations have been conducted since 9/11 . Most recently, Kazakhstan and China conducted a joint counterterrorism exercise (source). The training was sponsored by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO; composed of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan , Russia and China ) and intended to target three major threats that plague the region: separatism, extremism, and terrorism. Linked to these issues are ,however, drug trafficking and immigration predicaments that also deserve consideration. Furthermore, a military force against the extremist threat must follow alongside a united effort to tackle national and regional societal problems. These actions should be taken in conjunction with a unilateral acceptance to follow international human rights standards.
