Source · Select Committees · Foreign Affairs Committee
Recommendation 20
20
Accepted in Part
Proceed cautiously with Central Asian counter-terrorism cooperation, focusing on ethical military training
Recommendation
The Government should proceed with caution when engaging with Central Asian governments on the issue of terrorism and military to military cooperation. The threat of terrorism is often used as an excuse for tightening the authoritarian grip of the state on its own people, opening the door for Chinese surveillance technology with the potential for misuse. Moreover, there is evidence that the threat of terrorism is used to encourage foreign investment in security infrastructure. We encourage the Government’s focus to be on the offer of training to Central Asian armed forces, initially in English language and in the ethical dimensions of conflicts, with the offer of training from the UK’s Islamic advisor to Central Asian militaries. (Paragraph 76) Countries at crossroads: UK engagement in Central Asia 59
Government Response Summary
The government partially agrees, highlighting existing English language training and UN Peacekeeping support. It commits to continuing courses on the Law of Armed Conflict and ethical dimensions, involving the UK Armed Forces Islamic Religious Advisor, while also balancing counter-terrorism cooperation against human rights risks.
Government Response
Accepted in Part
HM Government
Accepted in Part
Partially Agree. Counter Terrorism cooperation and UK Defence Engagement are two separate strands of HMG’s work in Central Asia. The UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) engagement in Central Asia, for those states that are constitutionally able to do so, already includes support for the development of UN Peacekeeping capabilities. Examples include our work with Kazakhstan’s Peace Operations Centre (KAZCENT); pre-deployment support for Kazakh UN Mission contingents; specialised training (also for Kyrgyz and Tajik personnel) that supports potential new missions; and a highly successful English language training programme which has trained more than 1300 students across the region over the last six years. However, since a contribution to UN Peacekeeping is not universal to all Central Asian Republics, UK MOD activity will necessarily include facilitating and encouraging wider regional security cooperation, as well as peace-building and conflict mitigation measures. UK Defence in Central Asia is already planning to continue a series of courses / symposia for regional military personnel on the Law of Armed Conflict and ethical dimensions of operations. The team will seek to involve the UK Armed Forces Islamic Religious Advisor in this event. Separately, the UK has developed its counterterrorism relationships in Central Asia since 2021 to help mitigate against the risk of terrorism from Afghanistan. Any cooperation is balanced against the risks identified by the Committee - and we are working with the relevant Ministries to enhance their human rights compliance, including lobbying for partner countries to ratify the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture.