Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Kyrgyzstan

U.S. Helsinki Commission Outraged By Kyrgyz Extraditions

A demonstration in Brussels in May calling for an international probe into the 2005 Andijon events (RFE/RL)

PRAGUE, August 11, 2006 (RFE/RL) -- The U.S. Helsinki Commission has condemned Kyrgyzstan's extradition this week of five Uzbeks to their home country.

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August 11, 2006

The five are wanted in Uzbekistan on charges connected with a violent clash between demonstrators and security forces in the town of Andijon in May 2005.

In a statement, commission chairmen U.S. Senator Sam Brownback (Republican, Kansas) and U.S. Representative Christopher Smith (Republican, New Jersey) say they are "outraged" by the Kyrgyz move to extradite the five Uzbek nationals.

Brownback says the international reputation of Kyrgyzstan -- which had earlier allowed the UN to resettle Uzbek refugees to third countries -- will "certainly" suffer from its "change of policy."

Kyrgyzstan announced its decision on August 9.

All five deportees had sought shelter in Kyrgyzstan following the bloody military crackdown in Andijon. They were arrested shortly after and jailed in the southern city of Osh.

The OSCE chairman in office, the EU's Finnish presidency, and the UN's refugee agency have all condemned Kyrgyzstan's decision.

Andijon Refugees

Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan on May 19, 2005 (epa)

NO PLACE TO GO: More than 400 Uzbeks who fled in panic in the hours and days after troops opened fire on demonstrators in Andijon one year ago have been granted political asylum outside Central Asia. In limbo for weeks in Kyrgyzstan as they and the world tried to come to grips with the bloody events of May 12 and 13, they feared for their lives and the lives of family members as the official crackdown continued.... (more)

Andijon Refugees In Romania Have Escaped Violence, But Not Heartache

Refugees In Romania Await Decision On Destination

Refugees Want To Return Only If Regime Changes

THE COMPLETE STORY: A dedicated webpage bringing together all of RFE/RL's coverage of the events in Andijon, Uzbekistan, in May 2005 and their continuing repercussions.

CHRONOLOGY

For an annotated timeline of the Andijon events and their repercussions, click here.

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