recriminalizing libel, and new restrictions on the internet and on freedom of assembly. These measures presented a new set of challenges to the Endowment’s grantees in Russia, and with the exit of USAID, the funding situation became acute even for many of Russia’s most well-established NGOs. NED helped grantees address legal hurdles and developed individualized strategies to support their work. The Russian NGOs demonstrated considerable courage, resilience, and creativity in meeting the challenges created by the new legislation. The strength and professionalism of the NGO sector coupled with the growing public demand for government transparency holds out hope for future growth and expansion of the Russia’s civil society.

In Kazakhstan, the government continued to intimidate and imprison opposition leaders, journalists, and even ordinary people who engaged in public protest. Over 40 independent media outlets were shut down in 2012. Despite the pressure, NED grantees like International Legal Initiative Public Foundation monitored court cases dealing with freedom of assembly and the Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights and Rule of Law operated a Legal Defense Center to advise and represent human rights victims.

NED also worked to help civil society capitalize on political openings and there were bright points in the region. Georgia passed a milestone in October 2012 when, for the first time in its history, power was transferred peacefully through free elections. NED grantees were active across a range of issues: Association “Studio Re” produced 22 television shows featuring balanced and informed public debate, while the Georgian Young Lawyers Association litigated serious electoral violations. Kyrgyzstan also conducted legitimate, credible elections, and though the Parliament is still a weak institution, the government is pursuing ambitious democratic reform projects. In fact, Kyrgyzstan may represent the most promise for democratic development in Central Asia in the near term. NED supported organizations across the country, but especially those in the volatile southern region (such as Spravedlivost – see page 44), where ethnic violence and human rights abuses against minorities remain some of the country’s most serious challenges.

NED supported human rights, independent media, and NGO development in Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and in Armenia, civil society partners are mobilizing on local governance and topical issues ahead of national elections in 2017. Explore the 2012 Grants section that follows and visit our website at www.NED.org to learn more about grantees across the region.

EURASIAEURASIA

(Eurasia, continued from page 38) Armenian voters look for their names on publicly displayed voter lists at a precinct in Ararat on election day in May 2012; image courtesy of flickr user Neil Simon under the Creative Commons license.

40 | National Endowment for Democracy 2012 Annual Report | 41