Uzbekistan takes briefing on refugee situation

Tashkent, June 15, 2010

First deputy foreign minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan Abdulaziz Kamilov held a briefing on the events in Southern Kyrgyzstan. The briefing was held at the U.N. office in Tashkent. The members of diplomatic corps, international organizations, local and international media were briefed on the situation with refugees who had fled Kyrgyzstan and the measures being taken by the Uzbek government to accommodate them.

Mr. Kamilov underscored that a large-scale violence which broke in Kyrgyzstan is characterized by unprecedented brutality and assessed by many observers as a massacre, ethnic cleansing and genocide. Mass bloodshed was of clearly organized character which is admitted by the Kyrgyz interim government itself.

At the same time the Kyrgyz interim government demonstrated its helplessness in front of actions of bandits. There is no doubt that the third powers stand behind the events in Kyrgyzstan which can be proved by the use of large amounts of arms, involvement of mercenaries and professionally trained snipers in the violence. Besides, the bullets allowing set houses a fire from a long distance were used during the violence.

At the moment more than 75,000 refugees have been accommodated in Uzbekistan. The government of the country has been rendering all the necessary assistance. For only first three days more than 1,5 billion Uzbek soums (nearly $ 1 million) have been spent for these purposes.

While Uzbekistan continues to accommodate the refugees their number is still growing. Considering the seriousness of the situation the Uzbek side has officially appealed to the UN Secretary-General and other international organizations for humanitarian aid.

Unfortunately, at the moment the humanitarian aid rendered by international organizations is not targeted enough and the main bulk of it remains in Bishkek.

Atrocities against Uzbeks in southern Kyrgyzstan are confirmed by representatives of international organizations like UNICEF, WHO, Red Cross who witnessed the situation on the ground.

The UN Resident-coordinator in Uzbekistan Anita Nirodi said at the briefing that the UN highly values swift and decisive measures taken by the Government of Uzbekistan to accommodate the people who crossed the border.

Ms. Nirodi also said she along with UNICEF and WHO representatives has visited the border areas and refugee camps in Andijan province. She said a huge number of refugees, mainly women and children were accommodated in those camps. A number of wounded people were placed in hospitals.

Ms. Nirodi said that the UNICEF had sent 7 trucks with products of basic need such as kitchen appliances, blankets, hygienic sets, water containers and etc.

The UNHCR offered its humanitarian assistance which Uzbekistan has accepted.

The WHO has sent 3 trucks loaded with blankets and will render medical aid.

The Head of UNICEF office in Uzbekistan Jean-Michele Delmont also highly appreciated the efforts of the Uzbek government and said that the refugees get all the necessary assistance. He said that some of refugees had taped and photographed the atrocities in Osh. Mr. Demont said that the number of refugees was a lot more than initially estimated.

WHO representative in Uzbekistan M.Tayad praised highly organized and concerted actions of Uzbek authorities. At the same time he said that the stocks of the Uzbek Ministry of healthcare were running out and there was a need to elaborate on how to provide a long term assistance to the refugees.

“I was horrified to see how two young girls crossed the border. They had been brutally raped by the gang of bandits”, he said. According to Mr. Tayad there were at least 25 cases of raping.

The participants of the briefing were handed the photos and video materials showing atrocities against Uzbek Diaspora in Kyrgyzstan.