U.S. Embassy concerned over attacks on attorneys in S. Kyrgyzstan

U.S. Embassy concerned over attacks on attorneys in S. Kyrgyzstan

2010-10-18 20:18:17 GMT+7 (ICT)

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN (BNO NEWS) -- The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek on Monday expressed deep concern about reports that attorneys of ethnic Uzbeks who are on trial have been attacked in southern Kyrgyzstan.

"Fair treatment of those on trial is key to reconciliation efforts in the South," the U.S. Embassy, which has been closely monitoring the trial, said. "Authorities have an obligation to take all necessary security measures to guarantee the safety of attorneys, witnesses and their relatives and to protect them from threats, intimidation and attack."

U.S. officials also stressed that national authorities must take prompt action to intervene in any attack and said attorneys must be able to carry out their work without fear of harassment or obstruction.

"The steps that the Government of Kyrgyzstan takes to ensure that protection of the human rights of the accused and their attorneys will show the world the path that Kyrgyzstan plans to take now that Parliamentary elections are over," the U.S. Embassy underlined as it has repeatedly called for the trials related to the June events to be conducted in an orderly, fair and transparent manner.

"We encourage the Government to investigate all acts of aggression against attorneys, witnesses, their relatives and the accused themselves and bring those responsible to justice."

At least 893 people have been killed and up to 2,000 others have been injured in clashes between Kyrgyz and Uzbecks in southern Afghanistan since the ouster of former President Kurmanbek Bakiyev. Other, unofficial estimates have put the death toll as high as 2,000.

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