Uzbeks return home despite clashes

THOUSANDS OF Uzbeks have started returning to homes from which they fled when ethnic riots gripped southern Kyrgyzstan, despite sporadic clashes and continued tension ahead of a controversial referendum.

About 100,000 people crossed into Uzbekistan when ethnic Kyrgyz mobs attacked Uzbek areas in cities like Osh and Jalalabad, killing an estimated 2,000 people and driving some 400,000 from their houses.

The interim Kyrgyz administration of Roza Otunbayeva blamed the violence on allies of Kurmanbek Bakiyev, who was ousted as president in a bloody uprising in April, and whom opponents say is determined to undermine Sunday’s referendum on a new constitution.

Despite Ms Otunbayeva’s claims that government forces are regaining control of southern Kyrgyzstan, tension is still high in a region that was the stronghold of Mr Bakiyev, who says he is determined to return to power.

Uzbeks have refused to dismantle barricades in many districts, due to fear of attack from gangs they say were supported by Kyrgyz police and soldiers.

At least two people were killed and 20 injured during raids by Kyrgyz forces in ethnic Uzbek areas of Osh in the last two days. Kyrgyz officials say they met armed resistance while searching for weapons, while many Uzbeks complain of being beaten, robbed and threatened.

“They told us that, if we are still here in 10 days, we will be hanged from the lampposts,” said Karima (34) a mother of three who declined to give her surname for fear of reprisals.

Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch called the behaviour of Kyrgyz security forces inadmissible. “First they urge the removal of barricades, and then launch mopping-up raids. Uzbeks are completely panicky,” she said.

Despite the uncertainty, officials said thousands of ethnic Uzbeks were returning from Uzbekistan to southern Kyrgyzstan, largely due to the squalid conditions at tent camps near the countries’ shared border.

“There is still a lot of hatred, so it is an enormous challenge for the interim government and for local authorities to create conditions and show clearly that Uzbeks are welcome,” said Miroslav Jenca, a UN special envoy for Central Asia, in Osh.

Ms Otunbayeva insists the referendum must go ahead and will stabilise the country despite warnings that a compromised ballot would undermine her administration and fuel unrest.