OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities, in Kyrgyzstan, discusses language and education policies

OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors made her first visit to Kyrgyzstan from 20 to 22 November 2013 to familiarize herself with the political situation and interethnic relations in the country and discuss language and education issues.

In Bishkek, Thors met senior government officials, including President Almazbek Atambayev and Speaker of the Parliament Asylbek Zheenbekov. She also met representatives of national‑minority communities and civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps.

Thors expressed her support for the government’s Action Plan for Implementation of the Concept on National Unity and Inter-ethnic Relations. She also discussed the draft National Programme on State Language and Language Policy. She urged the authorities of Kyrgyzstan to step up their implementation of the Action Plan and to promote a balanced language policy that would safeguard linguistic diversity while addressing the legitimate need to support the state language.  

In Osh, she met Mayor Melis Myrzakhmatov and had discussions with representatives of national‑minority communities and civil society. Thors also visited a school which teaches in the Uzbek language that is piloting a multilingual education model: some of the teaching is being delivered in the state language (Kyrgyz) and in the official language (Russian).

Thors said: “Multilingual education can help integrate  a diverse society. Making it work in practice is not easy. The authorities need to win the hearts of the pupils,  their parents and teachers, as well as majority and minority communities. This must be done while ensuring that any education reforms respect the linguistic and education rights of national minorities.”