Two experts from Human Rights Watch (HRW) note that Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan should prioritize the well-being of ordinary people in the complex border region.
According to them, Tajik and Kyrgyz governments should adopt an agenda for human rights, to make clear that the well-being of ordinary people in the complex border region is their priority, and send a broader signal that they remain committed to upholding their international human rights commitments.
It is important to consult on this agenda with local communities and with independent civil society groups in both countries. International actors, such as the United Nations, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and European Union have offered help on human rights and other issues. All these bodies have valuable expertise to offer.
Such an agenda reportedly should include four priorities.
Accountability: To deter such violence it is vital to conduct thorough and impartial investigations and to ensure that those responsible for abuses are held responsible and brought to justice.
Law enforcement and militias: Active fighting is over, but tensions remain on both sides of the border. With large numbers of evacuees and displaced people due to return to their homes, it is essential for law enforcement, including police and border guards, to prevent any more violence and protect human rights. Both governments should ensure that their forces are properly trained and ready to respond to any incidents that arise. They should use force only if strictly necessary. Any armed militias established by local authorities should serve under a clear chain of command and be accountable, in accordance with international human rights standards.
Access to education: At least two children were killed in the conflict. Two schools and one kindergarten in Kyrgyzstan and one school in Tajikistan were damaged or destroyed in the fighting, disrupting education. When schools are attacked, those responsible should be held to account. Both governments should also ensure that all children who have been affected by the violence can complete the school year in a safe way. Trauma and counseling services should be offered to survivors of the conflict, especially children. In addition to rebuilding the destroyed schools, both governments could jointly commit to protecting children during periods of conflict.
Right to water: The immediate cause of the border conflict was a standoff over a water distribution facility. Water is a vital resource in Central Asia, but one that’s increasingly scarce as a result of climate change, making it a source of tension and conflict. The two governments should ensure the right to water for all citizens along the disputed border. In the short term this means resolving issues around the management of disputed water facilities in a way that reflects respect for human rights.
These are initial proposals as part of efforts, with others in civil society, to help define a brighter future for the people living in along the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan border. Given the long-term tensions along the border, and the bloody conflict in late April, the two governments have an urgent responsibility to protect the human rights of everyone in the region, irrespective of where they live.
