Shirin Akiner
Encyclopedia
Shirin Akiner is a lecturer in Central Asian Studies
at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies
(SOAS). She produced many scholarly works, particularly on Uzbekistan
and Kazakhstan
, and is a member of editorial and advisory board of Journal of Central Asian and Caucasian Studies published by the U.S.A.K.
In 2005, human rights groups, non-governmental organization
s and former British
ambassador to Uzbekistan
, Craig Murray
, accused her of producing a biased and "propagandist" report on the Andijan massacre
in Uzbekistan, which largely absolved the government of Islam Karimov of any wrongdoing. Murray called on Colin Bundy
, the director of SOAS
, to take action against her for allegedly promoting falsehoods, but the latter refused on the ground that Murray's views were "unsubstantiated".
Central Asian studies
Central Asian studies is the discipline of studying the culture, history, and languages of Central Asia. The roots of Central Asian studies as a social science discipline goes to 19th century Anglo-Russian Great Game...
at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
(SOAS). She produced many scholarly works, particularly on Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
and Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
, and is a member of editorial and advisory board of Journal of Central Asian and Caucasian Studies published by the U.S.A.K.
In 2005, human rights groups, non-governmental organization
Non-governmental organization
A non-governmental organization is a legally constituted organization created by natural or legal persons that operates independently from any government. The term originated from the United Nations , and is normally used to refer to organizations that do not form part of the government and are...
s and former British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ambassador to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan , officially the Republic of Uzbekistan is a doubly landlocked country in Central Asia and one of the six independent Turkic states. It shares borders with Kazakhstan to the west and to the north, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to the east, and Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the south....
, Craig Murray
Craig Murray
Craig John Murray is a British political activist, former ambassador to Uzbekistan and former Rector of the University of Dundee....
, accused her of producing a biased and "propagandist" report on the Andijan massacre
Andijan massacre
The Andijan massacre occurred when Uzbek Interior Ministry and National Security Service troops fired into a crowd of protesters in Andijan, Uzbekistan on 13 May 2005. Estimates of those killed on 13 May range from between 187, the official count of the government, and 5,000 people, with most...
in Uzbekistan, which largely absolved the government of Islam Karimov of any wrongdoing. Murray called on Colin Bundy
Colin Bundy
Professor Colin James Bundy is a South African historian and former Principal of Green Templeton College, Oxford.Professor Bundy was an influential member of a generation of historians who substantially revised understanding of South African history...
, the director of SOAS
School of Oriental and African Studies
The School of Oriental and African Studies is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the University of London...
, to take action against her for allegedly promoting falsehoods, but the latter refused on the ground that Murray's views were "unsubstantiated".
Selected publications
- Violence in Andijan, 13 May 2005: An Independent Assessment, 51pp. Johns Hopkins University, Uppsala University (Sweden), 2005. ISBN 9185031089.
- The Caspian:Politics, Energy, Security, 405pp. RoutledgeCurzon (UK), 2004. ISBN 0700705015.
- Tajikistan: Disintegration or Reconciliation?, 95pp. Royal Institute of International Affairs (London), 2001. ISBN 1862030618.
- The Formation of Kazakh Identity; From Tribe to Nation-State, 83pp. Royal Institute of International Affairs, 1995. ISBN 1-899-658-03 3.
External links
- Craig Murray's letter of complaint to Prof. Bundy
- Akiner's report on the Andijan Massacre
- 'A gushing book review of Karimov's works from Shirin Akiner', retrieved from Craig Murray's website
- Interview with Akiner on Channel 4 News
- The Akiner Controversy at Registan.net
- 'SOAS replies to the allegations against Akiner'
- Shirin Akiner profile