Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry into the events in the Southern part of the Kyrgyz Republic (Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission) has been mandated by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic to explore the facts and circumstances, causes and aftermath of the tragic events of June
On the basis of its findings, the Commission prepared a public report with an assessment of the events and recommendations. These recommendations are designed to help the authorities and the society of the Kyrgyz Republic as well as the international community to build peace, stability and reconciliation. CMI was acting as the secretariat of the Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission. The full report, including the comments of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, can be found at the official website of the commission at www.k-ic.org or via the links below.
Comments of the Kyrgyz Government
In Russian:
Комментарии Правительства Кыргызстана
Panelists
The Commission consisted of seven panel members from Australia, Turkey, France, Estonia, Russia and the United Kingdom, and is chaired by Kimmo Kiljunen (Finland).
- Kimmo Kiljunen (chairman), Finnish MP, Special Representative of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly for Central Asia (Finland)
- Philip Alston, Professor of Law at New York University, Former United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions (Australia)
- Yakin Erturk, Former UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Professor of Sociology at the Middle East Technical University (Turkey)
- Brigitte Horbette, Judge at the Paris Court of Appeals, Former Secretary-General of Office Francais de Protection des Refugies et Apatrides (OFPRA), President of section at the national court for asylum (France)
- Rein Müllerson, Former First Deputy Foreign Minister, President of the Academy of Law at Tallinn University, Former United Nations Regional Adviser for Central Asia (Estonia)
- Valery Tishkov, Director of the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Russian Academy of Sciences (Russia)
- Ralph Zacklin, Former United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, Member of the Independent Special Commission of Inquiry for Timor-Leste (UK)
Terms of reference
Following the outbreak of violence in June 2010 in the city of Osh and its surrounding provinces, an International Independent Commission for Inquiry (“Commission”) to investigate the facts and circumstances of these events was established.
Mandate:
The Commission was mandated to:
- Investigate the facts and circumstances of the events of June 2010 in Osh and its surrounding provinces in the Kyrgyz Republic including the causes and course of events as well as actions taken in the aftermath;
- Qualify the violations and the crimes under international law;
- Determine responsibilities and, where possible, identify those responsible; and
- Make recommendations, including, in particular on accountability measures, so as to ensure non-repetition of the violations and to contribute towards peace, stability and reconciliation.
In determining responsibilities the Commission did not conduct a criminal investigation; the conduct of such an investigation will remain the responsibility of the authorities of the
Composition:
The International Independent Commission for Inquiry was composed of a panel of eminent personalities as well as a group of experts. The Panel was chaired by Dr Kimmo Kiljunen, Special Representative for Central Asia of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.
In the overall composition of the panel and experts, there was the requisite expertise in human rights, conflict analysis, international humanitarian law and international criminal law; and knowledge of the country and language skills. The need for gender and geographical diversity amongst members of the Commission was also taken into account.
Cooperation with the Government:
In the conduct of its inquiry, the Commission enjoyed the full cooperation of the Government and the National Commission for Inquiry. The Government, (including all relevant Departments) assisted the requests of the Commission for collection of the required information and testimony. In accordance with the laws of the Kyrgyz Republic, guaranteed to the Commission:
- Freedom of movement throughout the territory of Kyrgyzstan;
- Free access to all places and establishments relevant to the work of the Commission;
- Freedom of access to all sources of information, including documentary material and physical evidence. Freedom to interview representatives of governmental, as well as community leaders and representatives of civil society and other institutions and, in principle, any individual whose testimony is considered necessary for the fulfillment of its mandate;
- Appropriate security arrangements for the personnel, documents, premises and other property of the Commission;
- Protection for all those who appear before or provide information to the Commission in connection with the inquiry; no such person shall, as a result of such appearance or information, suffer harassment, threats of intimidation, ill-treatment, reprisals, or any other prejudicial treatment;
- Similar privileges and immunities necessary for the independent conduct of the inquiry as are enjoyed by UN experts on mission under article VI of the 1946 Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations and to officials under articles V and VII of the Convention.
Reporting:
The Commission will ensure presence in the Kyrgyz Republic at least six months after the publication of the report of the Commission.
Secretariat:
The Commission was assisted by the necessary administrative and technical staff provided by the Crisis Management Initiative, a Finnish non-governmental organization.