OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities discusses minority participation and education in Kyrgyzstan
The participation of national minorities in public life and promoting their access to education were among the main topics of discussion during the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities (HCNM) Astrid Thors’ visit to Kyrgyzstan from 24 to 26 November.
In Bishkek, Thors exchanged views on a range of issues related to her mandate with Prime Minister Temir Sariev, Foreign Minister Erlan Abdyldaev and Deputy Education and Science Minister Toktobubu Ashymbaeva. She also met with representatives of national minorities.
Among these issues were national minority participation in the recent parliamentary elections in October and minority representation in the newly elected Parliament, which she discussed in depth with the Speaker Asylbek Jeenbekov and representatives of political parties.
Thors also explored the possibilities for co-operation between political parties and her office on national minority issues.
“Enhancing national minorities’ representation in political parties and promoting dialogue between political parties and national minority communities would further strengthen the integration of society,” Thors said.
Thors also exchanged views with Mira Karybaeva, Head of the Presidential Administration’s Department of ethnic, religious policies and interaction with civil society, on the implementation of the State Concept on Strengthening the Unity of the People and Inter-Ethnic Relations in the Kyrgyz Republic. The High Commissioner encouraged the authorities to support the participation of national minorities in public life.
Thors reiterated her previous calls on the authorities to implement policies ensuring minorities’ access to higher education and safeguarding mother tongue education.
The High Commissioner also discussed co-operation between her office and the Education and Science Ministry. The two parties signed a Memorandum of Co-operation in 2014 covering activities in the framework of the HCNM’s regional educational initiative, which aims to promote models of multilingual education in Kyrgyzstan and other Central Asian states.