Focus Kyrgyzstan (Assessment)

Overview

In the South of Kyrgyzstan, more than one year after the outbreak of violence that left hundreds dead and tens of thousands displaced, the security environment for civilians remains precarious, with numerous reports of human rights violations and a general, widespread sense of mistrust between ethnically diverse communities, and between the citizens, state institutions, and armed actors. The affected population requires significant support in regaining confidence in community safety, reengaging with formal security actors, and developing the capacity to mitigate and manage future tensions.

Upon the request of the government of Kyrgyzstan, NP sent an exploration team to assess the feasibility of deployment of unarmed civilian peacekeepers in the country’s volatile South. In April and December 2011, over 100 meetings were held with representatives of civil society, state actors and the international community in the capital city of Bishkek, as well as in Osh and Jalalabad regions. Diverse requests for expertise and support were received by NP.

NP maintains contact with key stakeholders on the ground in Kyrgyzstan, and, thanks to the support of the Open Society Institute Emergency Fund, is currently continuing its needs assessment and trustbuilding work in the country. If NP deploys to Kyrgyzstan, its work will be directed towards bolstering early warning and response systems on the district and community level, providing accompaniment and protection to peace and human rights activitsts, as well as empowering communities to deal with conflicts without resorting to violence.

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