Katie Putz

FYI: I don't really log on here much anymore. I may occasionally, but not reliably. If you need me for professional things, my contact info is on The Diplomat's website. 🖖

President Japarov’s been consolidating power in Kyrgyzstan by weakening the opposition, the civil society, and the country’s vibrant independent media. @AigiTurgunbaeva & I spoke to Kyrgyzstan’s leading journalists about the erosion of their press freedom. thediplomat.com/2024/06/keepin…

Thank you @ConversationUS for publishing my piece "‘He just vanished’−missing activists highlight #Tajikistan’s disturbing use of #EnforcedDisappearances" incl. breaking news on the latest kidnappings in #Istanbul of #SuhrobZafar #NasimjonSharipov rb.gy/6k3mzb

🇰🇿🇺🇿 Today, March 18, the prosecutor's office of the Bostandyk district of Almaty #Kazakhstan decided to extend the arrest of civil activist Aqylbek Muratov (Muratbai) @muratbaiman for up to 12 months. Whereas the Prosecutor General's Office of #Uzbekistan assures that the prosecution of the Karakalpak human rights activist "has no political motives." Recall, Aqylbek Muratbai is being prosecuted for publishing footage from the official video broadcast of the OSCE conference #WarsawHDC and for the action of remembrance for the victims of the suppression of protests in the Republic of #Karakalpakstan.

Hearing v. disturbing news that Karakalpak human rights defender Aqylbek Muratbai was arrested yesterday in #Kazakhstan, reportedly at the request of #Uzbekistan, & is at risk of refoulement. He should be allowed immediate contact with a lawyer & released @KazakhPM_UNOG @uzbekmfa

“Fear is central to the government’s grip on power in Tajikistan,” “Every arrest, case of torture, extrajudicial killing and kidnapping sends a signal to journalists, activists, community leaders, and lawyers about the cost of challenging the regime." thediplomat.com/2023/08/the-ty…

"Even without a bureau, we are in constant contact with our audience." Two years after the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, @Azadi_English's @QadirHabib and @MalaliBashir tell @Diplomat_APAC's @LadyPutz how Radio Azadi has become more vital than ever: thediplomat.com/2023/05/an-int…

“Fear is central to the government’s grip on power in Tajikistan,” @EdwardLemon3 tells @LadyPutz buff.ly/47xhomI

I spoke with @LadyPutz from @Diplomat_APAC about the dire situation of Human Rights Defenders in #Tajikistan, and the need for the EU to ensure Human Rights Defenders are given an amnesty as part of EU GSP+ negotiations with Dushanbe. thediplomat.com/2023/08/the-ty…

Today, more Central Asians are asking themselves: Why do we continue to speak the language of a neighboring country that once occupied us, and not our native languages? My piece on erasure of cultural memory & new identities in Central Asia @Diplomat_APAC thediplomat.com/2023/07/centra…

@EricaMarat @TheDiplomatMag This happens a lot but out handle is actually @Diplomat_APAC -- the other one is a different publication with which we are not associated. But stoked to have you write this piece for us. Hope everyone checks out the issue, it's a good one!

@fran__olmos Fun fact: I traveled to Bukhara with Timur in 2019 and got to stay at the house when it was a not-quite-open hotel thediplomat.com/2020/01/the-ri…

The first museum dedicated to the history of Jadidism is being built in Bukhara. It will located in the 19th home of the important Jadid Usmonxoʻja Poʻlatxoʻjayev (currently Hovli Poyon hotel). Looking forward to visit it the next time I’m back Bukhara! gazeta.uz/ru/2023/07/19/…

@csen_nomads @fran__olmos I traveled to Bukhara with Timur back in 2019 and actually stayed at the house. He's been working for years to get it turned into a museum. thediplomat.com/2020/01/the-ri…

MUSEUM OF THE MONTH: a historical building in Bukhara, Uzbekistan, to become the city’s first museum dedicated to the history of Jadidism (H/T @fran__olmos): gazeta.uz/ru/2023/07/19/… 1/n

Back to reading on trains 👀🛥️🔱

@LucasADWebber That sounds ideal

@LadyPutz Very cool - I spent every summer growing up at my aunt’s place in Maine

If you go to Portland, Maine ever you should consider helping fund the expansion, round 2, of my cousin's fam's dope-ass restaurant. You get 120% of what you donate in credit to eat. So think of it as a gift card to yourself. I mean, look at these noods numarket.co/fund/cong-tu-b…

Other cool things about these cool people I get to call family: earlier this year the restaurant became the first independent restaurant in Maine to unionize in 40 years. pressherald.com/2023/03/31/por…

@LucasADWebber No, but my Mom's family is from the Boston area. My cousin & her partner (and some other really good friends of mine) live in Portland now and I love visiting Maine.

@LadyPutz Are you from Maine?

How President Mirziyoyev describes Uzbekistan is dramatically different in reality. Uzbekistan is still a police state in many ways. Trying to do a standup about the inauguration, I was stopped by 9 officers - one-by-one - within the two blocks of the Uzbek Senate, inauguration location. No way to shoot anything relevant. I was not even allowed to use a theater as a backdrop. So, to cover Mirziyoyev’s inaugural speech promising openness, transparency, and the rule of law, I gotta find a spot in Tashkent where no one will hinder my freedom as a reporter. I get it if they have prohibited areas for security purposes. But there is simply no logic in restricting journalists from reporting outside the Senate and the presidential palace. They need at least some special spots there for media to work from.

@KadyrToktogulov Thanks very much!

It’s a good interview, @LadyPutz!