Kyrgyz Republic Uzbek Asylum Seekers

Kyrgyz Republic Facilitates Humanitarian Transfer of Uzbek Asylum Seekers

The Secretary called Kyrgyz President-elect Kurmanbek Bakiyev this morning to express appreciation for the Kyrgyz government’s decision to allow the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to transfer 439 asylum seekers from Kyrgyz Republic to Romania today. The asylum seekers, who had sought initial refuge in the Kyrgyz Republic, will remain in Romania on a temporary basis while the UNHCR arranges permanent resettlement in third countries.

By providing sanctuary for the asylum seekers and allowing today’s humanitarian transfer, the Kyrgyz Republic has demonstrated its commitment to support international efforts to assist individuals who seek protection from persecution. The Kyrgyz Republic deserves the thanks of all those in the international community who are committed to the U.N.’s humanitarian principles.

We and the UNHCR continue to strongly advocate for the transfer of the remaining fifteen Uzbek asylum seekers to a third country for resettlement processing. We hope that the Kyrgyz Republic will take immediate steps to ensure that the remaining asylum seekers’ human rights are fully protected. We welcome the Kyrgyz government’s pledge to consult with UNHCR before taking any action on any one of the Uzbek asylum seekers in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Source: state.gov 2005/740, Released on July 29, 2005 Press Statement, Sean McCormack, Spokesman, Washington, DC, July 29, 2005

nore at Romania and Uzbekistan or United Nations and Kyrgystan and State Department or Department of State