OSCE
High Commissioner
on National Minorities
Her Excellency
Mrs Roza OTUNBAEVA
Minister for Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan
BISHKEK
Republic of Kyrgyzstan
The Hague Reference :
7 August 1995 No 897/95/L
Dear Mrs Minister,
In the past few weeks I have reflected both on the talks I had last May with President Akaev, with you and other prominent personalities in your country, and on the discussions which took place during the seminar in Bishkek on inter-ethnic relations and regional cooperation. This evaluation has led to the formulation of a number of recommendations which I should like to submit to you and your Government. Before doing so, however, I should like to thank your Government once again for its hospitality and for the major contribution it made to the success of the seminar.
During my visit I was especially struck by the determination of President Akaev and of the Government to respect fully the OSCE norms and principles regarding persons belonging to national minorities and to spare no effort to remove potential sources of inter-ethnic tensions. The creation of the Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan was inspired by these motives. The conclusion I reached during my visit is, however, that, mainly due to financial difficulties, the Assembly has not yet reached its full potential. In order to make it a more effective instrument for the promotion of inter-ethnic harmony, I would recommend the following steps :
1. Within the Assembly, an Executive Council should be created composed of representatives of the various National Cultural Centers and representatives of various Ministries which have competences which affect the interests of the various minorities in Kyrgyzstan.
2. The Council should meet at least once a month; under its aegis commissions can be formed to deal with specific subjects.
3. The competences of the Council should include :
a. to give advice to the Government regarding draft legislation concerning matters which affect national minorities;
b. to suggest to the Government legislation for submission to Parliament which in the Council's view could help to solve minority problems;
c. to study questions relating to educational questions confronting minorities;
d. to study the question of the access of minorities to the mass media;
e. to maintain contacts with local or regional public authorities regarding specific minority issues and to suggest possible solutions;
f. to investigate complaints by National Cultural Centers, non-governmental organizations and individuals related to the respect of rights of persons belonging to national minorities and to make recommendations regarding these complaints to the relevant governmental agencies;
g. to take the initiative in investigating specific situations which might cause inter-ethnic tensions;
h. to report at regular intervals to the Government and to the Assembly of the People of Kyrgyzstan about its activities.
I would also recommend that one of the departments of the office of the President should be assigned to concentrate exclusively on questions relating to minorities. In order to achieve maximum coordination, the head of the department, supported by a well qualified staff, could also be charged with the secretariat of the Executive Council.
Finally, it is in my view essential to create an institute (or use an existing institute) for research relating to possible sources of inter-ethnic tension. Such an institute could also be of help to the Executive Council when it decided to start an investigation concerning a specific minority question.
The intensification of the work of the Assembly is in my view justified because it can greatly contribute to inter-ethnic harmony, and, therefore to the lasting stability of Kyrgyzstan. Special attention to minority problems also seems desirable because the number of persons belonging to national minorities in Parliament (15 out of 105) is smaller than one might expect considering the fact that the national minorities taken together constitute more than 40% of the total population of Kyrgyzstan.
I do realise that the measures proposed have financial consequences, which, while small considering the vitally important purpose they will be used for, might presently be too much of a burden for your Government. But I am not without hope that international financial assistance could be mobilised.
The recommendations I present to you in this letter constitute a broad outline of the structures I have in mind. If the Government agreed to them in principle, however, I should be at your disposal for elaboration in greater detail. I am looking forward with great interest to your reply.
Yours sincerely,
(Signature)
Max van der Stoel
OSCE High Commissioner
on National Minorities
