Kyrgyzstan: Destruction and creation
“Discuss or to keep silent” – where to put the stress?
For many years we all, including me, believed that inter-ethnic relations were a “delicate issue”, one that we
cannot discuss, and it is better not to raise this issue in public debates. Unfortunately, pulling away like this,
trying to protect itself from conflicts, our society has not acquired the skills to discuss correctly the “delicate
issues”; we have not learned how to prevent conflicts, we have not developed preventive mechanisms. The
June armed conflict in Osh is called “the war” by locals; they discuss the reasons for it, and recall how it was
“before the war”. On our planet, almost everywhere there is conflict between ethnic communities; in most
cases, between the dominant ethnic group and ethnic minorities. The different goals of the warring parties
determine the underlying causes of conflict. In analyzing the armed conflict in Osh in June 2010 there is a need
to investigate both socio-economic problems and political issues. Conflict does not always comes to an end
with the cessation of conflict actions; in post-conflict Osh direct armed combat has ceased, but the
conflict itself has not been exhausted, and has turned into a form of distrust and prejudice, talks and rumors.
Tensions in inter-ethnic relations are more clearly expressed in social competition through value
judgments about one’s own and other groups. So, in the south the way the social and economic conditions of
the two main ethnic groups –Kyrgyz and Uzbeks – is compared is an indication of the two parties’
fight for resources.
Ethnic conflict: lessons from history
In recent years there have been several inter-ethnic conflicts in Kyrgyzstan: in 2006, in Iskra village between
Kyrgyz and Dungans; in 2009 in Petrovka village between Kyrgyz and Russians on one side, and Kurds
on the other hand, in 2010 in Mayevka village between Kyrgyz and Turks; and the June armed conflict in Osh.
Considering the causes of these conflicts we can speak about the struggle for resources. Explanations are
given by the historical facts of inequities against the Kyrgyz ethnic group. In the late 19th and early 20th
centuries, the colonial policy of Tsarist Russia led to the removal of Kyrgyz land in the valleys and its transfer
to sedentary communities (Russian, Uzbeks, Tajiks and others). These actions “squeezed out” the Kyrgyz to
the foothills and mountains, de priving them of winter encampments on the plains, and thus violating
the traditional nomadic life cycle. In the Soviet period in the 1930s, a policy of planned subsidies had been
provided, and Kyrgyz were set in the mountainous part of the country. Organization of collective and
state farms during the Soviet period allowed Kyrgyz to have a job, even in remote areas. Ethnic minorities in
this period lived mainly in valleys of the country, around the socio-economic centers. During the colonial
period croplands were given to the settled groups, and ethnic groups repressed by the Soviet Union were
located near the center for easy control by the NKVD (the acronym of the soviet People’s Committee
of Internal Affairs, equivalent to the law-enforcement agencies). After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the
situation changed dramatically: collective and state farms were disbanded, and the villagers were
forced to create their own economy. With the development of a market economy, Kyrgyz, living in remote
areas, far from socio-economic centers, with undeveloped infrastructure, were left in difficult conditions
for survival. During the years of sovereignty the state has taken no action to assist people in remote areas.
There was no opportunity for processing and marketing agricultural products in these areas, and
their remoteness from the city meant they could not be competitive in the market. This resulted in a massive
relocation of people. Former villagers congregate in suburbs, and require the allocation of land. The
poor quality of education does not allow Kyrgyz from remote areas to be competitive in the labor market.
Thus, the internal migration of Kyrgyz people from remote areas puts them in an adverse position in relation to
ethnic minorities residing around the socio-economic centers.
It is not possible to solve the problems of ethnic conflicts without improving the living conditions of people in
remote areas. The state should provide credit and grant support for the organization of agricultural
processing, improving education and infrastructure development in remote areas as a whole. There is a real
danger that ignoring the problems of remote areas will lead to population issues, and in the
near future, areas of great natural beauty in Kyrgyzstan will come to be known as destructive.
Institutional information and society: expectations, confusion
Nearly six months on from the date of the June conflict in Osh, there is no institutional information regarding
the tragic events that took place; the authorities and politicians are silent. Since the beginning of the armed
society in Kyrgyzstan. It is necessary to support and promote initiatives of cooperation – shoots of interethnic
peace and social perspective processes in society.
Trust and stereotypes
In Kyrgyzstan, inhabited by more than 80 ethnic groups, ethnic minorities make up about one-third of the
population. Historically, Kyrgyz society has been host to many peoples. The cultures of different peoples
in our country often cross, there is the appearance that interference is going on, but in most cases they engage
in dialogue only to a certain extent. In the field of ethnic relations negative trends have increased,
expressed in distrust on the part of the titular ethnic group towards ethnic minorities. The negative role of
stereotypes and lack of information about the history and culture of ethnic groups living in Kyrgyzstan
should be stressed. Post-conflict creation of lasting peace requires a serious intercultural
and interethnic dialogue, as well as an awareness that cultural policy, as well as economics and defense, is a
necessary function of the state. It is necessary to maintain and develop this through education.
Interethnic relations are not only direct relations between different nationalities. They are also evident in the
stereotypes about them – from positive images to prejudice. Strengthening inter-ethnic peace requires
education of citizens in a spirit of tolerance by incorporating into curricula of schools and universities brief
history and culture of ethnic groups living in Kyrgyzstan. This will help erase matured negative
stereotypes and build confidence. Let us remember that trust is the foundation to build inter-ethnic peace.
Destruction and creation
The entire burden of the crisis of the political system was easily transferred onto the shoulders of the people.
Six months later after the bloody conflict in Osh, the atmosphere remains tense. In certain parts of the
population, including among children, there is a sense of heightened emotion and aggression manifested in
overt or covert forms. And yet, most people understand the provocation of June armed conflict and are
sincerely striving for peaceful life. The State should not adopt policies that run counter to human rights,
pluralism and openness, even if they feel such policy is justified. Heightened emotions among the population
in post-conflict areas maintains an unfavorable atmosphere, leaving the danger of escalation of the conflict.
Social explosions are devastating for our state – let’s think about avoiding them.
Our country is at a historical turning point – changing from totalitarianism and authoritarianism to creation. In
this process our society definitely needs expert and technical support from the international community. In
difficult situations international organizations help us. However, nobody can build peace in our country, or
build our country for us without us, because We are the Country – all together. We have to break down
stereotypes and learn to think critically about the information, to distinguish between the destroyers and
creators and not to be heartless perpetrators of criminal orders, and to forgive and build.