Council for a Community of Democracies

Kyrgyz Voters Approve Constitutional Referendum; Democracy Activists Detained
July 1, 2010
By: Randi Zung

On June 27, Kyrgyz voters participated in a referendum that resulted in the overwhelming approval of a new constitution. Kyrgyz interim leader Roza Otunbayeva will now be sworn in as president and will be tasked with forming a new government. Voice of America reported that despite criticism from Kyrgyz opposition leaders stating that the country’s recent violent ethnic clashes created an unstable atmosphere for the vote, according to the Central Election Commission approximately 70% of the country’s 2.7 million eligible voters participated in the poll. Approximately 90% of those voters approved the new constitution. Parliamentary elections will be held in October 2010. Otunbayeva will remain in office until 2011.

Despite gaining approval from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), BBC News reported that the international governing body warned that improvements were needed before the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections. OSCE called for safeguards to ensure that individuals did not cast multiple votes. Noting a high voter turnout, Boris Frlec, head of the OSCE’s observation mission stated, “The citizens of Kyrgyzstan turned out in large numbers to vote for a new, democratic and peaceful future for their country.”

Commenting on behalf of the United States, State Department spokesman Philip Crowley stated, “The United States calls on the provincial government and all of the citizens of Kyrgyzstan to use this opportunity to advance the process of reconciliation and accountability to ensure future interethnic harmony and move Kyrgyzstan forward on a path to security, stability, democracy, and prosperity for all citizens of the republic,” Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported.

IIn addition, reporting on the recent outbreaks of ethnic violence in the southern part of the country, according to an alert circulated by the World Movement for Democracy, 2,000 individuals have died as a result of ethnic violence. BBC News reported that an estimated 400,000 people – many of whom are from the minority ethnic Uzbek community – have been displaced.

The World Movement for Democracy also reported that Kyrgyz authorities have started to crackdown on civil society activists. According to press releases from various human rights groups, Kyrgyz authorities detained and interrogated Tolekan Ismailova of Human Rights Center and Aziza Abdirasulova of Public Foundation. Both women, who work defending the rights of Uzbeks, were accused of “spreading misinformation” regarding the number of civilian causalities during a military operation.

For previous news on Kyrgyzstan, please see:
http://ccd21.org/news/asia/kyrgyzstan_interim_gov_stability.html

Sources:
BBC News - OSCE observers back Kyrgyzstan referendum

Voice of America - Kyrgyz Citizens Overwhelmingly Approve New Constitution

Radio Free Europe/ Radio Liberty - Western Nations, Institutions Praise Kyrgyz Referendum, As Russia Expresses Doubts

World Movement for Democracy – Civil Society Activists Intimidated In Kyrgyzstan