OSCE human rights envoy calls for dialogue and easing of tensions in Kyrgyzstan
ODIHR Director Gerard Stoudmann expressed his concern on the social and political environment in Kyrgyzstan (Michal Olejarnik/OSCE) Photo details
BISHKEK, 17 May 2002 - At the end of his visit to Kyrgyzstan, the Director of the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights called for urgent steps to be taken to foster dialogue between all political forces in the country, in order to restore confidence and avoid a further increase of tensions.
"I am concerned by the negative spiral which seems to characterize the social and political environment in Kyrgyzstan today," said the ODIHR Director, Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann. "At this time what Kyrgyzstan needs most is a meaningful dialogue between Government, civil society and all political forces, as well as tolerance and restraint to be exercised by all sides. I call on the President, as the leader of all people of Kyrgyzstan, to exercise leadership and to urgently take bold steps to build confidence."
The ODIHR Director expressed concern that, if not acted upon immediately, events could escalate out of control. Yesterday, these events included the blockading of a major highway and the arrest of a large number of demonstrators. Given mounting political concerns across the country, Ambassador Stoudmann also expressed hope that both sides would not further aggravate the already hostile situation. In this regard, Stoudmann said both sides should undertake confidence-building initiatives, such as the release of all detainees and lifting the highway blockade.
The ODIHR Director was visiting Kyrgyzstan to assess the political situation and escalating tensions following the shooting of demonstrators by police in March.
"I am concerned by the negative spiral which seems to characterize the social and political environment in Kyrgyzstan today," said the ODIHR Director, Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann. "At this time what Kyrgyzstan needs most is a meaningful dialogue between Government, civil society and all political forces, as well as tolerance and restraint to be exercised by all sides. I call on the President, as the leader of all people of Kyrgyzstan, to exercise leadership and to urgently take bold steps to build confidence."
The ODIHR Director expressed concern that, if not acted upon immediately, events could escalate out of control. Yesterday, these events included the blockading of a major highway and the arrest of a large number of demonstrators. Given mounting political concerns across the country, Ambassador Stoudmann also expressed hope that both sides would not further aggravate the already hostile situation. In this regard, Stoudmann said both sides should undertake confidence-building initiatives, such as the release of all detainees and lifting the highway blockade.
The ODIHR Director was visiting Kyrgyzstan to assess the political situation and escalating tensions following the shooting of demonstrators by police in March.