European Forum

Otunbaeva admits abuses committed by Kyrgyz security forces

Kyrgyz President Roza Otunbaeva has admitted that Kyrgyz security forces abused the rights of minority Uzbeks in the wake of deadly ethnic riots in June. The acknowledgment comes after allegations from the United Nations and human rights groups that Kyrgyz security forces targeted Uzbeks after the riots.

In an interview Otunbaeva confirmed the allegations and cited specific cases, for example, the killing of two ethnic Uzbeks by security officers conducting a sweep in the southern village of Nariman. According to official figures, more than 350 people were killed and tens of thousands were made homeless during the ethnic riots in June between majority Kyrgyz and minority Uzbeks in the southern cities of Osh and Jalal-Abad.

Protests against interim government
In related news, on 5 August around 1,000 people protested outside Kyrgyzstan’s parliament in Bishkek against the interim government led by Otunbaeva. Kyrgyz troops blocked a road to prevent an even bigger group joining the rally. The demonstrators — supporters of businessman and former presidential candidate Baryktobasov — argue that Kyrgyzstan is not ready for parliamentary elections set for October and are demanding to talk with interim leader Otunbaeva. The head of the Kyrgyz National Security Service, Keneshbek Dushebaev, said that the army was acting on information that some of the protestors were armed and could try to overthrow the interim government.

A country update on Kyrgyzstan can be red here.


Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty