Ethnic Tensions Remain High in Kyrgyzstan

Osh, Kyrgyzstan (Jun 25) – The United Nations Security Council has released a report stating ethnic tensions and violence remains high in Kyrgyzstan as refugees and displaced persons begin to return home.

Following over a month of deadly clashes refugees and civilians need to be given a guarantee of safety, according to Senior United Nations officials. Mr. Ferenandez-Taranco stated, “That while the situation in Osh and Jalalabad had reportedly calmed, ethnic tensions persisted, and there were also rumours of impending violence between the communities. Aid deliveries by humanitarian agencies are also being disrupted by security concerns.”

The current escalation in violence sent approximately 300,000 civilians fleeing for safe haven in other parts of the country and neighboring Uzbekistan. The death toll is estimated to be almost 200 with fears of that number rising as the ethnic violence escalates.

The Government of Kyrgyzstan plans to hold a referendum on constitutional reform this Sunday, according to United Nations sources. The United Nations is encouraging all efforts to ensure that the poll is inclusive and technically safe and all internally displaced persons (IDP’s) can participate.

Meanwhile, approximately 50,000 refuges have returned to their homeland from Uzbekistan yesterday, according to the Kyrgyz border service however, it is estimated that more than 300,000 civilians remain scattered around Kyrgyzstan in schools, kindergartens, and host families or simply living out in the open.

Amir Abdulla, chief operating officer and deputy director of WFP has been meeting with local women as the attempt to cope with two-week rations of floor and oil from the agency. Many other families remain barricaded inside their homes living in fear.

Mr. Abdulla had this to say, “These women have suffered such a trauma over the last few days and have had to confront real hunger,” adding “At least they know that they can rely on WFP until their lives get back to normal.”

Posted by worldnews on June 25, 2010. Filed under Asia Regional News,International News,Kyrgyzstan,News,United Nations Headlines,WorldNewsVine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.