Spravedlivost, a non-governmental organization based in Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan, is the 2014 winner of the Max van der Stoel Award. It received the award for its outstanding work in improving the position of national minorities in the OSCE area.
Since the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan, Spravedlivost has been protecting minorities in a challenging environment where it is subject to harassment. The jury remarked upon the bravery of its staff, who continue to speak out against human rights abuses and promote a more tolerant, just and peaceful society.
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OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors presents the Max van der Stoel Award to Valentina Gritsenko, Director of human rights NGO Spravedlivost, and Utkir Dhzabbarov, Senior Lawyer of Spravedlivost, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands greets Rolf Ekeus, the former OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, during the Max van der Stoel Award ceremony, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
(R-l) Frans Timmermans, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Valentina Gritsenko, Director of human rights NGO Spravedlivost and Utkir Dhzabbarov, Senior Lawyer of Spravedlivost, during the Max van der Stoel Award ceremony, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
(L-r) Frans Timmermans, Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, Valentina Gritsenko, Director of human rights NGO Spravedlivost, Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands, Utkir Dhzabbarov, Senior Lawyer of Spravedlivost and OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors, during the Max van der Stoel Award ceremony, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors (c), with the former OSCE High Commissioners, Knut Vollebaek (l) and Rolf Ekeus (r), during the Max van der Stoel Award ceremony, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
Winners of the Max van der Stoel Award, Valentina Gritsenko (r), Director of human rights NGO Spravedlivost, and Utkir Dhzabbarov (l), Senior Lawyer of Spravedlivost, The Hague, 2 October 2014.
In June 2010, southern Kyrgyzstan experienced its worst inter-ethnic violence since 1990. For four days starting on 10 June, ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks clashed in Osh and Jalal-Abad. On 12 June, the High Commissioner on National Minorities issued an early warning, the second in the Institution’s history. Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council on 14 June, Knut Vollebaek said: “The development is particularly dramatic in the south of the country where we witness attempts of ethnic cleansing.”
Representatives of the authorities, victims of abuse and staff at Spravedlivost, a non-governmental organization based in Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan, spoke to Michelle Pirotta, Communications and Editorial Assistant, OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, about the situation in Jalal-Abad four years after the events of June 2010. These are excerpts from the interviews.
The Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship: an enduring symbol of inter-ethnic violence
On 12 June 2010, a 1,000-strong crowd of ethnic Kyrgyz looted and burned the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in the centre of Jalal-Abad. The university provided teaching in Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Russian and was a symbol of inter-ethnic understanding. Today, it stands as a stark reminder of the inter-ethnic violence unleashed in June 2010 and that many issues remain unaddressed.
Eric Gourlan photographed the ruins.
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On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
On 12 June 2010, the Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in Jalal-Abad was looted and burned during the June 2010 events in southern Kyrgyzstan. Today, it remains in ruins, 5 September 2014.
The looted and burned Kyrgyz-Uzbek University of People’s Friendship in the centre of Jalal-Abad. The university stands as a stark reminder of the inter-ethnic violence unleashed in June 2010 and that many issues remain unaddressed.
