This study explores the role of parliaments in security sector oversight in the five Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It explores the composition and role of national parliaments, their committees and parliamentary staff, and the oversight function of parliaments and relevant public bodies. This publication aims to contribute to a better understanding of the current role of parliaments in the region as regard security sector oversight, and to provide useful input for discussions on their alignment with international best practice - in particular, in areas of law-making, budget scrutiny and oversight of the security sector, including intelligence services.