The Chair of the Political Affairs and Democracy Committee, Dame Cheryl Gillan (United Kingdom, EC/DA), has expressed concern about the developing situation in Kyrgyzstan.
“I am concerned with the news of mass unrest and street violence in Kyrgyzstan following the Parliamentary Elections on 4 October which the opposition parties have claimed were rigged. With reports that one person is dead, nearly 700 people injured and that protesters broke into Parliament, Government and other official buildings and appointed several ‘provisional’ officeholders, I understand that President Jeenbekov has accused ‘certain political forces’ of attempting to illegally seize power”, she said.
“The Parliament of Kyrgyzstan has enjoyed Partner for Democracy status with the Assembly since 2014. Under the terms of the partnership, the Parliament was expected to invite the Assembly to observe elections but, unlike on previous occasions, failed to do so. In view of the latest developments, I intend to initiate a report in the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy in order to review the situation and make proposals to the Assembly as appropriate with regard to this partnership. In the meantime, I call on all stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan to show restraint, abstain from violence and find solutions through legal ways and means”, she concluded.
PACE
