BISHKEK, 28 March 2011 – Parliamentarians discussed a new framework document for managing Kyrgyzstan’s ethnic diversity at an OSCE-supported event in Bishkek today.

The draft Concept for Ethnic Development and Consolidation of Kyrgyzstan's Society was debated at a roundtable discussion organized by the Presidential Administration with the support of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

The event brought together Members of Parliament, representatives of the Presidential Administration and independent experts, who discussed the draft Concept as well as international norms and best practices in managing inter-ethnic relations through legislative and other tools.

The Concept – drafted by a working group under the aegis of the recently-created Presidential Administration’s Department for Inter-Ethnic Development and Religious Policy – is due to become Kyrgyzstan’s main framework document outlining the State’s strategy on its inter-ethnic and minority integration policy. It will focus on key areas including civil and political participation, language policy, multicultural and multilingual education, culture and media, as well as managing inter-ethnic relations at the local community level.

“This Concept will identify priorities and outline approaches to resolving a number of inter-ethnic problems that have remained unaddressed in Kyrgyzstan over many years. It is particularly encouraging that the authorities have demonstrated the political will to develop and adopt such a document, in consultation with national minorities, in order to tackle the roots of inter-ethnic conflicts. It is time to learn from the past and address problems and grievances in a constructive and inclusive fashion,” said Alexander Vinnikov, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek’s Senior Political Officer.

Shukhrat Sabirov, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, said that it was important for Kyrgyzstan to use the experience and best practices of other countries in developing this framework document. “The process that began five months ago is now entering the homestretch,” he added. Most MPs present acknowledged the relevance of both the Concept and its priority directions, while also suggesting to introduce a number of changes and clarifications.

The roundtable discussion was conducted as part of a series of events held in Bishkek, Tokmok, Karakol, Osh and Jalal-Abad since December 2010. These have involved State officials at both national and local levels as well as the Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan, ethnic community representatives, non-governmental organizations, independent experts, cultural figures and youth groups.

The process has been supported from the outset by the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights as a key instrument for improving inter-ethnic relations and preventing ethnic conflict in Kyrgyzstan. It is expected that upon approval by the Government, the Concept will be submitted for discussion by Parliament within the next few months. In parallel, the OSCE Centre in Bishkek is also implementing an ambitious project to support Kyrgyzstan’s new Parliament.

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