Afghan refugees picket UN, demand Kyrgyz citizenship
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 16 December 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghan refugees picket UN, demand Kyrgyz citizenship, 16 December 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/52e65a0114.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
December 16, 2013
By RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service
BISHKEK – About a dozen Afghan refugees have picketed the UN office in Bishkek, demanding a simplification of procedures to obtain Kyrgyz citizenship.
UN official Kiyalbek Temishov met with the demonstrators on December 16 and explained that the issue of Kyrgyz citizenship can only be solved by Kyrgyzstan's State Commission for Citizenship, not the United Nations.
UN representatives in Bishkek told RFE/RL that the protesters had vowed to continue their picket until they receive Kyrgyz citizenship.
According to the UN's refugee agency, some 10,000 refugees have arrived in Kyrgyzstan over the last 15 years hoping to obtain citizenship.
Some 80 percent were from Afghanistan. Only 96 Afghan refugees have obtained Kyrgyz citizenship since 1996.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
