Kyrgyzstan

Kyrgyzstan is a multi-ethnic, landlocked and mountainous society bordered on the southwest by Central Asia’s Fergana Valley region. Surrounded by authoritarian states, the Kyrgyz Republic in Central Asia has made significant strides toward democratic development over the past two decades.

Following an eruption of inter-ethnic violence in June 2010, the people of Kyrgyzstan voted overwhelmingly to adopt a liberal democratic constitution. And yet ethnic nationalism among the majority Kyrgyz – many of whom see themselves as the country’s state-making people – continues to grow. The security of the country’s 80 or more ethnic minorities, including the southern Uzbek centred in Osh, remains a concern.

Despite these challenges, Kyrgyzstan’s democratic turn is an encouraging step toward pluralism.

Our Work

The Centre has launched a series of initiatives to build awareness of the role that history and memory play in promoting pluralism in Kyrgyzstan, including a call for research papers, a meeting with the President’s History Commission and a professional development workshop for history educators.