Democratisation, conflict prevention and increased security of local people

Lessons learnt from community security approaches in the Ferghana Valley

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are fragile states, with peace and security undermined by segments of the Kyrgyz and Tajik population looking to religious, ethno-nationalist, and illegal means for livelihood opportunities as well as provision of order. At the same time in border areas between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, there are insecurities linked to cross-border tensions. In Southern Kyrgyzstan, the interethnic clashes of June 2010 still have consequences on the day-to-day lives of people. Although openly expressed distrust between ethnic groups has faded with time, relations between Uzbek and Kyrgyz communities are still often characterised by suspicion.

In this context, the role of security providers is crucial to address insecurity, but historic grievances have left a legacy of mistrust. The populations of both countries often perceive law enforcement agencies as either unwilling or incapable of providing protection from crime, illegal actions, or abuse. This perception is backed up by the actions of some security providers who do not effectively interact with the public, in an environment where there is little accountability to the public, all compounded by capacity issues.

Saferworld, working with local partners, the Foundation for Tolerance International, the Association of Scientific and Technical Intelligentsia and Youth Initiatives for Development, has been implementing a community security approach in the Ferghana Valley since 2010. Programmes promoting the development of relationships with and improvement of services to the public are essential in both countries.

The community security approach aims to respond to perceptions of insecurity and conflict among local people by promoting greater cooperation and accountability between communities, authorities and law enforcement agencies. The process used to implement this approach is participatory and inclusive of people from different backgrounds and therefore helps to change negative behaviour and attitudes between divided communities and between communities and authorities. This report identifies and summarises some of the most important lessons learnt by Saferworld’s Central Asia community security programme over the past four years.

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Read more about our work in Central Asia.

“The facilitators of any community security process need to have in-depth and reliable local knowledge and to build trust with communities.”

Saferworld Central Asia