The Secretary-General is seriously concerned about the fate of Uzbek asylum seekers in Kyrgyzstan and, in particular, reports about their possible forced deportation to Uzbekistan. Such a decision would contradict the commitments currently given to the Secretary-General by the Kyrgyz authorities and would constitute the violation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention to which Kyrgyzstan is a signatory. The Secretary-General has today received assurances that no decisions will be made on returning asylum seekers until this has been reviewed at the highest levels by the Government of Kyrgyzstan.

The Secretary-General appeals to the Government of Kyrgyzstan to strictly abide by its international obligations in the treatment of asylum seekers and urges the Government of Uzbekistan to refrain from any action aimed at ensuring forcible return of Uzbek asylum seekers to their country.