Friday, June 03, 2005
Karimov Supporters March, Refugees Seek Asylum
Thousands of demonstrators rallied in support of Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov in the city of Jizzakh, bolstering the government in the face of international criticism.
The Kyrgyz government has yet to decide what to do with the asylum seekers, though the UN and international human rights groups have urged Bishkek not to repatriate them, as is its obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees. The government has stated that no Uzbeks will be forced to return, though some officials have attenuated that statement.
Many protesters waved portraits of President Karimov and shouted slogans against those who oppose him or question the government line.Which may explain why the Uzbek refugees seeking asylum in Kyrgyz are adamant that they do not want to return to their homeland. "We have heard rumours that the authorities are arresting anyone suspected of taking part in the anti-government protests," said a teenage girl from Andijan in the camp where the refugees are living.
One banner read "Human rights activists are enemies of the motherland".A busload of government supporters travelled round the city, attacking human rights activists with sticks and vilifying them as traitors.
The Kyrgyz government has yet to decide what to do with the asylum seekers, though the UN and international human rights groups have urged Bishkek not to repatriate them, as is its obligations as a signatory to the UN Convention on Refugees. The government has stated that no Uzbeks will be forced to return, though some officials have attenuated that statement.
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