OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities calls for increased attention to inter-ethnic relations in Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK/THE HAGUE, 19 April 2005 - Visiting Kyrgyzstan on 18 and 19 April 2005, Ambassador Rolf Ekeus, the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, called on the current leadership of the country to take steps to strengthen social integration.

"Ensuring that all of Kyrgyzstan's citizens feel part of the common society, irrespective of their ethnic identity, is a priority in the country," he said.

"Kyrgyzstan's varied and rich culture is the result of the multi-ethnic character of the country. It is this diversity that makes Kyrgyzstan unique. Finding ways to ensure that all citizens have the opportunity to participate in the common project of building a prosperous and democratic country is one of the main challenges for Kyrgyzstan today and in the future."

"Promoting integration is made more urgent by the recent instability that has affected the country," Ambassador Ekeus added.

The High Commissioner said national integration requires that the rights of persons belonging to national minorities are fully respected and that the security of national minority communities is guaranteed.

"Now is a vital time for Kyrgyzstan. The decisions of today will, to a considerable extent, set the tone for the future. In this regard, I believe that attention should be paid to ensuring that the ethnic diversity of Kyrgyzstan is properly reflected in the representation of persons from all ethnic communities within the different levels of the state."

The High Commissioner said it was essential that all citizens of Kyrgyzstan should be able to participate equally in the forthcoming elections. He also called on politicians to work to promote harmony and mutual understanding in the country.

Ambassador Ekeus's visit to Kyrgyzstan coincided with that of OSCE Chairman-in-Office Dimitrij Rupel.

During his visit to Bishkek and the south of the country, the High Commissioner met government officials and politicians as well as representatives of national minority communities and NGOs.