Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

Foreign Conflicts

10:00 am

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 49: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide an update on the plight of refugees from Kyrgystan taking refuge in Uzbekistan; the assistance or advice he and the EU will provide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29637/10]

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will respond to the statement by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe that international aid is urgently needed and an independent international commission should be established to investigate recent violence in Kyrgystan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29646/10]

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 74: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the current unrest in Kyrgyzstan; and the threat the this poses to the plans of the interim Government there for a referendum on constitutional reform. [29584/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49, 70 and 74 together.

The outbreak of ethnic violence in southern Kyrgyzstan earlier this month left hundreds dead and thousands injured. I join with those who have condemned this violence. I also offer my condolences to the families of those killed and my sympathy to those who were injured or displaced.

The violence in Kyrgyzstan resulted in a serious humanitarian crisis. Tens of thousands of ethnic Uzbeks crossed the border into Uzbekistan while thousands more were displaced within Kyrgyzstan itself. The international community and NGOs responded quickly to the crisis. The OSCE, UN and EU have been working together effectively on the ground to help stabilise the situation and provide urgent humanitarian assistance in both Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Irish Aid has responded to the crisis through a contribution of €250,000 to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and an airlift of 2,650 blankets and water tanks from its emergency stockpiles. A member of Irish Aid's Rapid Response Corps has also been deployed to work as a Protection Officer with the UNHCR in Kyrgyzstan. The European Commission provided €5m in emergency aid. The Commission is also refocusing its €6m stabilisation and democratisation support package for Kyrgyzstan to address current challenges such as institutional reform and inter-ethnic relations.

Despite the violence and humanitarian crisis, the planned referendum went ahead on 27 June. The referendum proposed a new constitution and the confirmation of the appointment of Ms Roza Otunbayeva as Acting President. Provisional results indicate that the proposal was approved by a large majority. Turnout is estimated to have been in the region of 70%. The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, which sent a limited mission to observe the vote, noted the peaceful conduct of the election, as well as the high turnout, despite the challenging circumstances. High Representative Ashton, on behalf of the EU, welcomed the peaceful conduct of the vote saying it marks "an important step towards the re-establishment of constitutional order and democratic process in the country".

While the situation in Kyrgyzstan has stabilised, and many of those who fled to Uzbekistan appear to be returning, assistance from the international community will be required for some time. The EU and regional organisations such as the OSCE are now considering ways in which to help Kyrgyzstan overcome both the immediate crisis and to meet its medium and long-term challenges. Ireland will play its part in this process.

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