Según varias informaciones, diferentes asociaciones de Derechos Humanos, junto a grupos de oposición al gobierno, han planteado que la próxima semana tengan lugar varios actos públicos en la ciudad de Osh como protesta por el anuncio de incremento de las tarifas energéticas.

I talk fairly regularly to my fellow attorneys about competency and GEI evaluations at the State Hospital.  I’ve found there to be some common themes to those conversations.  To wit:

(1)  “OSH” will not be doing the evaluation.  A person within the Forensic Evaluation Service (FES) at the State Hospital will be doing the evaluation.  That person is likely to have a doctorate in psychology.  Or perhaps an MD in psychiatry.  As with any group, some people doing the evaluations are better than others.  To say that OSH did the evaluation is to miss the point that a particular person with particular skills actually wrote the report and did the thinking.  Some of the FES evaluators also do defense work.  They are private psychologists who contract out with the FES.  Drs. Dawn Clark-Plowman and Alex Milkey, for example, are excellent psychologists who are available for private evaluations at PDSC rates and they also contract out with the FES to do evaluations at the State Hospital.

(2)  The FES is not a treatment team.  In fact, they pride themselves on being independent from the wards.  They have access to the charts and can speak with the treating staff in order to gather information for the evaluation.  But they are not involved in treatment.  Their offices are below the evaluation rooms in a different part of the Hospital than the wards.

(3)  Competency evaluations have a very standard format.  The first part gathers personal information from the defendant.  Some of the questions are bland and others are potentially sensitive such as the ones about drug use, child abuse, head injuries, etc.  The point is to gather information which might point to or buttress a particular diagnosis.   The second part asks about a long list of potential symptoms.  For each one, the defendant is asked whether he has that symptom.  Like “do you ever hear messages directed at you, personally, from the television.”  Or “are you able to hear other people’s thoughts.”  In addition to the list, there will also likely be some basic cognitive testing of the client.  For example, counting backwards from 100 by subtracting 7s.  Or, questions related to the client’s awareness of his surroundings or the external world.  The third part is about the client’s relationship to the case and the defense attorney.  Questions mostly come from a class taught on the ward called the “.370 class”.  The .370 class teaches people what the roles of the parties in court are, what GEI is, etc.  In theory, the class is a good thing.  The danger is that clients will memorize the words without ever understanding, even in a basic way, what the words mean. For example, more than once I’ve had clients say that “the judge is ‘the boss of the court’”  That sounds good.  But if they’re asked what that means, they’ll say “The judge is the boss of the court.”  Good evaluators will see through incompetence masked by short term memorization.  Unfortunately, most judges will not see through it.  Nor do most attorneys.  So it’s important for you to be aware of the possibility.  The third part also inquires into the relationship between client and attorney.  If the client understands perfectly the justice system but refuses to speak with his attorney because his attorney is Genghis Khan, then he may still be incompetent, despite his understanding.

(4) Client’s should not be sent down to OSH for the .365 one day evaluation except under very rare circumstances.  The defense attorney should hire a psychologist to do an evaluation.  You wouldn’t submit a client for a polygraph without getting a private one first.  Don’t do the same thing with psychological evaluations.   If the client is incompetent, the court can use the private evaluation to make the determination for “treat until fit.”

(5)  It’s really important for an attorney to be present at evaluations that occur at OSH.  Any information given can be used against the client in court.  That should be enough to get the defense attorney’s presence.  But it’s also a really scary situation for the client.  Being there, or at least appearing by phone, can build the attorney-client relationship like few other actions can.  Finally, you will see and hear things that will not show up in the report and may very well provide the key to your defense.

In Kirgistan gibts nicht nur die Hauptstadt und den Issyk Kul, sondern noch eine ganze Menge mehr zu sehen! In den verdienten Herbstferien Ende Oktober plante Valerie zusammen mit Ulli einen absoluten Hammer-Trip in den Süden des Landes.
Los ging es am Mittwochmorgen, als wir in ein Taxi stiegen, dass uns die 500km runter nach Osh bringen sollte. In der Regel dauert diese Fahrt hier in Kirgistan 10-13 Stunden – denn es geht von 1600m durch endlose Serpentinen hoch auf 3800m, dann wieder runter, und wieder hoch, und wieder runter… Ulli und ich teilten uns das Taxi mit Zaid (dem Fahrer), Murat (Fahrgast als Dschalal Abad), sowie einer kirgisischen Frau mit ihrem kleinen Sohn Raul. Letztere saßen hinten, zusammen mit uns beiden Deutschen. Nur leider bekam den “Einheimischen” die kurvige Fahrt über die Berge so gut, dass sie sich abwechselnd alle 5km ihres Mageninhaltes entledigen mussten, was dazu führte, dass ich ständig Angst hatte, dass mir der kleine auf meinen Stieg Larsson kübelt.
Nach 10 Stunden angekommen in Osh waren Ulli und ich uns einig, dass allein die Taxifahrt durch die atemberaubend schöne Landschaft Kirgistans schon ein unvergessliches Erlebnis ist!
In Osh waren wir bei Regina untergebracht, einer absolut liebenswürdigen Kirgisin, die uns zusammen mit ihren Freunden über drei Tage hinweg die ganze Stadt zeigte: So kletterten wir auf das frisch gekürte Weltkulturerbe (Salomons Thron), bummelten über zwei der orientalischen Basare, besuchten drei oder vier oder fünf (irgendwann hört man auf zu zählen) Museen, fuhren in die Berge und genossen kirgisische Gastfreundschaft, ritten auf echten kirgisischen Pferden durch die Berge und probierten unzählig viele und unglaublich leckere kirgisische und usbekische Köstlichkeiten. Für alle, die sich mit der Geographie Kirgistans nicht so gut auskennen: Osh liegt an der usbekischen Grenze, und im gesamten Oblast gibt es eine starke usbekische Minderheit (oder auch Mehrheit) – was diesem Teil des Landes wirklich eine ganz andere, nicht so sehr westliche Mentalität verleiht und es gerade aus diesem Grunde so faszinierend macht!
Nach einer reibungslosen Taxifahrt waren wir dann auch Sonntagabend schon wieder in Bishkek, wo der “Alltag” schon wieder brav seine Krallen nach uns ausfuhr.

Kubanychbek Yoldoshev es un reportero del periódico “Osh Shamy”, de la misma ciudad de Osh, en el sur del país.

En la tarde de ayer, al volver a su casa desde el trabajo, unos desconocidos le asaltaron en la calle y le dieron una paliza que todavía le mantiene ingresado en el hospital. Sus compañeros del periódico aseguran que el ataque se debe a su cobertura de unos recientes disturbios estudiantiles en la ciudad, aunque de momento no se ha podido identificar a los agresores.

La triste realidad es que los ataques contra periodistas han aumentado en los últimos años en el país, llegando a causar la muerte a varios de ellos.

Siguiendo con la política de acoso a gupos islamistas radicales que se desarrolla en Kirguistán, se ha detenido en el día de ayer a tres personas, acusadas de poseer material propagandístico de esta organización, ilegal en el país.

Estos tres individuos, de 62, 29 y 26 años, se encuentran ya en una prisión a la espera del preceptivo juicio.

To ensure the protection of frontline health care and emergency medical workers at high risk of infection with H1N1 virus, OSHA said it will soon issue a compliance directive to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to the 2009 H1N1 influenza A virus. The agency said its directive will closely follow the CDC’s Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in Healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel, posted last week on www.flu.gov.

Read the article on Occupational Safety & Health website

http://www.1105newsletters.com/t.do?id=3553362:15327147

El Instituo Nacional de Sismología ha aportado datos concretos sobre un nuevo terremoto que ha sacudido la tierra en Kirguistán durante el día de ayer.

La magnitud se ha estimado en cerca del grado 5, y el epicentro se ha situado a unos 140 km. al sudeste de la ciudad de Osh, cerca de la frontera con China y a apenas 10 km. de Nura, el mismo pueblo que en 2008 sufrió un seismo que se llevó la vida de 70 personas y destruyó más de 140 casas.

Salam & Selamat Sejahtera

Alhamdulillah. Dengan berkat kurnia-Nya, blog SHE CRG’s berjaya dilancarkan pada 27 Ogos 2009.

Tujuan utama blog ini adalah untuk berkongsi malumat serta bertukar2 pandangan di dalam SHE. Semua pihak dialu2kan untuk memberikan sumbangan atau artikel atau informasi atau apa sahaja bahan yang boleh dijadikan rujukan utk semua pihak.

Ianya juga diharapkan dapat menjadi satu platform untuk pengamal OSH terutamanya di CRG untuk mendapatkan maklumat tentang aktiviti2 yang akan dijalankan.

Akhir kata, marilah kita bersama-sama menjadikan CRG salah satu platform yang paling berguna untuk pengamal OSH terutamanya bagi newbie yang ingin dan akan berkecimpung di dalam OSH.

Sekian. Terima kasih

When in Kyrgyzstan do as Kyrgyz do.

A story by American, who has adapted in Osh.

All we know the proverb “When in Rome do as Romans do”. It means to show respect to the culture and traditions of a society where on e arrives as a guest. And Stephen Scott, the president of CICA (Cornerstone Institute in Central Asia) in Osh, who has been living here for 2,5 years, is one of the holders of this proverb.

Q: Mr.Scott. What country are you from and how long have you been living here?

A:I am from Canada. But I lived in the US for 4 years, and here we have already been living for 2,5 years. Q: Tell us something about your family, job? A: Well, my wife is American and we have 4 children. I am president of CICA in Osh.

Q: Did you have a culture shock and what was mostly impressed you when you firstly arrived? A: Of course I had a culture shock. Everything was different: people, culture. The thing that made a great impression on me was people’s hospitability. They were so kind and understandable. When I lived in Azerbaijani, I noticed that the life there is more Arabic. But here life is more Asian. Even people wear a European clothes they are religion and more traditional.

Q: Did you know one of the local languages before coming why did you choose an Uzbek language? Who thought you? A: No, I did not know. But I knew some Azerbaijani. That is why it was easy to me to understand Uzbek. And that is why I started to learn it. Actually the best way of learning a language is socialize with native speakers. My tutor was Munojat, who thought me during one term.

Q: What topic did you learn first? Did you find it difficult to socialize in Uzbek?

A: When we arrived in November, it was too cold – 15 degree. We did not have any heat and food. So the most important thing for me was to fees my family. And to socialize in Uzbek was not difficult at all. You know when you are immense the culture it is much more easy to make your language more difficult. And people are so understandable. They understood my not so good speech in Uzbek and helped me a lot.

Q: What kind of situation did you have on your first days I Osh when you had not learn’t anything?

A: Well, others might tell more funny stories about me. I do not know I always worry about that I can offend people with my rude Uzbek. But as I have mentioned people are understandable.

Q: What language do you want to learn? Maybe Kyrgyz or Russian?

A: Of course I want to learn both of them and I have already bought a dictionary. I am afraid “oruschaga akilim jetpeit”. But my job requires me to some word in Russian. Because a lot of paper work. But I want to learn a Kyrgyz.

Q: Do you agree wit a proverb “When in Rome do as Romans do”? And what proverb do you know in Uzbek?

A: Yes, I agree, I always say “When in Rome do as Romans do” We are just guests here. And our task is to be just a good guest. Yeah, I know. And my favorite one is: “Besh manja ten emes”. I use it every day.

Worms.

Nowadays there are no affective pills against worm in Kyrgyzstan. If you go to hospitals, you can see a lot of people who can to flee form worms. They do treat, but doctors can not destroy this illness entirely. That is why there was a project in Osh city, a project which can help us to get rid of worms. Month ago, doctors distributed pills to the population of Osh city. Each person had to get pills on their work places, universities, schools and nurseries.

Last year there was the same project in Laylek. The population of that place was pleased with that project. They said that it was really good project for their health. Most of them got rid of headaches, stomachaches and other pains.

But some people refused to have pills in Osh city. There were some rumors about pills. Some people believed that those pills are venom, and some people heard that pill can convert into worms. Of course it is nonsense. Later, people who refused to get pills regretted that they did not get it. They heard form their friends, relatives the effect of that pill and they asked for another one.

The recent events in community.

On May, US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan brought to the Osh State University documentary film “The People’s President”. Osh community met with Margaret Brown and Harrison Angle, directors/producers of the documentary film.

This event was part of the American Documentary Showcase Festival, May 24-30, 2009.

On this day the alumnus of American Educational and Exchange Program met the representatives of the US embassy. The meeting was based on the foundation of Public Association of “Alumnus of American Educational and Exchange Program”.

Interesting facts.

Do you know…

In 1776 a young woman was in a situation to die in a small village in England. Even doctors could not help her. Then a young women told her husband to bury the gold ring in her ring finger. All of village people went to bury the young woman. And among them there were two robbers and they heard that she was buried with a gold ring.

At night robbers went secretly to open the women’s cemetery. While they were taking off her gold ring, suddenly a young woman shouted. Frightened robbers run away without looking back. Having heard the woman’s shout a grave digger at the cemetery came up to the place. As he was a brave man he was not so surprised. A grave digger brought her to his house, gave a bowl of hot soup, and he brought her husband a good news. After this strange event a young women recovered. Five years later she gave birth. This child was a great English writer – Walter Scott.

In space you can not cry because there is no gravity to make the tears flow.

The Boston University Bridge is the only place in the World where a boat can sail under a train driving under a car driving under an airplane.

Author: Nuraida Amatova.

Every day we use a lot of food. But no one has an idea that those foods are catching with worms. Worms are spoiling our life. They can easily enter into your body through food, dirty fruits and others. They start hurt like different kinds of ashes. It is hard to believe, but 95% of people are worm bearers.

Finding a Job After Graduation

Maksud Zainabidinov

Finding a job remains the first issue for graduates in the city of Osh. Since universities do not guarantee work after graduation, students are obliged to do it by themselves. Today, a majority of local universities can not guarantee a job for young specialists.

Young specialists have always had good potential to contribute to any team or organization. The main advantages of young people are vitality, enthusiasm, and purposefulness. But in Osh city there are job deficits and so competition among university graduates is high and only few receive jobs. There is some advice that experts believe could help young specialists find jobs. Experts advise young specialists to be professional. They think that the lack of that quality in young specialists, namely in university graduates, makes them less marketable. Employers also pay attention to a specialist’s skills and abilities in order to make the selection procedure competitive. Due to the continuing economic crisis this year, it will be harder for university graduates to get a job. According to statistics from Osh State Statistics, last year 5,965 students graduated from Kyrgyz universities and only 10% of them got a job the year after they graduated. However, as we see, in Kyrgyzstan the most effective channels to get a job are personal contacts, job vacancy fairs, and local press. Web sites like www.job.kg are also a good place to find jobs. But we students should remember that skills and experience are still the most important factors in getting a job. In this extremely developing information age, an ability to use communication technologies effectively in finding a job is essential. But students think differently. Although Internet and other mass media are popular in searching for jobs, they are not as effective as personal contacts. But not every graduating student has a personal contact and they often use resources like agencies on job placement, the press, and Web sites of companies.

MARCHING AND CLEANING THROUGH THE PARKS

AISULU MASALBEKOVA

But…Don’t worry about that! Cause volunteers, the Center for American Studies, and Aarhus Center, with the help of local and international organizations and government, organized a great project called “March for Parks on Earth Day.” This event was on April 18th. Many people helped out on that day, cleaning up the litter in Park Novae.Dixie Eckford, head of the project’s initiation, came to Osh in January 2009 from the USA. She liked our town very much, but when spring came, she found out that it was really dirty in the parks and along the Ak-Bura River. And that’s why she started this project. The aim of doing March for Parks is to make people understand that we should be aware of our nature, and that this kind of action should be part of our daily ritual, just as eating is. In this way, we could celebrate Earth Day everyday.
People did really hard work because the park was so dirty and full with plastic bottles and bags. There were volunteers from local organizations, schools, and universities, as well as American Peace Corps. Three days ago, this park had litter everywhere and now look! It’s clean. Now all citizens can go to the park and have a rest.Spring has already come and everything is in blossom. What a great season, isn’t it? But my friends, what a dirty park it is. Don’t we have to rest there?

The event included a mini-concert, contests, and a puppet show. School children from Aga Khan School played the komuz and others danced. It was very nice.

We are for a clean town, clean water, and clean nature! Good job to all the participants and organizers.There were two contests: photo and essay. All the essays were very good and the choices were difficult. Winners of the essay contest are Aiperi Imamidin kyzy (first place), Dilfuza Mamataep kyzy (second place), and Shermamat Tursunov (third place). Winners of the photo contest are Chingiz Akimov (first place), students from GP-05K group of the Geography Faculty (second place), and Damirbek Bemirzaev (third place). Congratulations!

The former soviet republic of Kyrgyzstan came into the spotlight this week when it was announced that Russia would be opening another base in that country. Russia already has one airbase, the Kant airbase, which is just outside of the capital city, Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan is a member of the Russian dominated Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose leaders met for an informal summit in Kyrgyzstan on Saturday, August 1. The other member countries are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The Americans also have an air base, the Manas air base, close to the border with Kazakhstan. This base was set up to transport supplies to Afghanistan and is currently the only one they have in Central Asia. At the summit today, a memorandum was signed between Presidents Dmitry Medvedev of Russia and Kurmanbek Bakiyev of Kyrgyzstan saying that a Russian military contingent will be deployed into Kyrgyz territory, and a formal agreement will be signed November 1.

This base, which will be in the southern city of Osh, will house the proposed rapid reaction force of the CSTO. The purpose of this reaction force is to respond to the “broadest range of threats and challenges”, according to President Medvedev. According to the Russian president’s foreign policy advisor, the rapid reaction force “would deflect military aggression, and carry out special operations against international terrorism and extremism, trans-border crime, and drug trafficking”.

This is a win for a Russia trying to expand it’s power. Because of Russia’s dominance in the CSTO, the organization is really only a tool for Russia to expand its influence in the member countries. And while Russia managed to gain a new base in Kyrgyzstan, the United States had a loss. This year, their agreement with the Kyrgyz government about the use of the Manas air base was renegotiated. The US no longer maintains the base as a full fledged air base, but now may only use the airstrip to transport non-military supplies to Afghanistan. Their rent was also increased from $17.5 million a year to $60 million.

Cites

• Additional Russian military forces to be deployed in Kyrgyzstan – RT
• Russia to station more troops in Kyrgyzstan: agreement
• Russian-Led CSTO Grouping Adds Military Dimension
• US, Kyrgyzstan Reach Deal on Continued Use of Manas Air Base
• CSTO leaders agree to create information center

Great day at Airventure, not too hot, low winds and lots of sun.  I spend the morning walking through the indoor exhibit halls and found some good gear.  Got measured for a parachute, may order it up.

The airshow today was spectacular.  The White Knight II flew a demo and so did the A380.  Then the aerobatics began with a great line up.

Thousands of folks here today, I think the campgrounds are full to the brim.  Well, we are pulling out tomorrow so it will make room for a new arrival.

A380

Old and New

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

Some kids in Osh, in Kyrgyzstan’s part of the Ferghana Valley.

Osh, Kyrgyzstan

An Uzbek man selling colourful cloths in the bazaar of Osh, Kyrgyzstan.

Ferghana Valley, Kyrgyzstan

The road to the Ferghana Valley, eventually leading to Osh, and a lonely motorcycle travelling it. At the time of our visit in 2001 the road connecting Bishkek and Osh had recently been rebuilt by a Turkish contractor.