Key developments since May 2003: Kyrgyzstan conducted mine clearance
on its border with Uzbekistan in the first half of 2003, but stopped due to
border disputes with Uzbekistan. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated
in February 2004 that Uzbekistan had replanted mines in areas that the
Kyrgyzstan had cleared. In November 2003, the IPPNW Kyrgyz Committee, the ICBL,
and the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference on landmines in
Central Asia and CIS countries, one of many landmine-related public events in
2003 and 2004.
Key developments since 1999: Kyrgyzstan used landmines in 1999 and
2000 to prevent infiltration across its border with Tajikistan. Mine risk
education programs have begun in border areas of Kyrgyzstan adjacent to
minefields emplaced by Uzbekistan. In June 2001, the Kyrgyz government issued a
decree regarding mine clearance and mine risk education. Since 1999, at least
ten landmine casualties occurred in the Batken region near the Uzbek border.
Mine Ban Policy
Kyrgyzstan has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. In February 2004, the
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that while, “the world without
mines remains our common goal,” landmine clearance would require
significant financial and technical resources, and Kyrgyzstan would need
alternative means of securing the border
areas.[1] He added,
“Kyrgyzstan is moving step by step in the direction of solving the
landmine problem. We are not setting tasks that are impossible to
fill.”[2]
Kyrgyzstan participated in a few Ottawa Process meetings as an observer and
has since attended one annual Mine Ban Treaty meeting of States Parties (in
2002) and some sessions of the treaty’s intersessional Standing Committees
(in January 2002 and February 2004). While Kyrgyzstan voted in support of
pro-mine ban resolutions by the United Nations General Assembly between 1996 and
1998, and abstained from voting in 2000, 2002, and 2003. Kyrgyzstan was not
allowed to participate in the 1999 and 2001 votes.
Numerous conferences and events relating to landmines were held in Kyrgyzstan
in the past year. On 5 November 2003, the IPPNW Kyrgyz Committee and the Kyrgyz
Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted a conference titled “Landmines in
Central Asia and CIS Countries: Defining the Problem and Identifying
Solutions.”[3] Speakers
included ICBL campaigners from the region, who at the same time held their
annual Landmine Monitor
meeting.[4] In October 2003,
several NGOs in Kyrgyzstan (IPPNW-Kyrgyz Committee, the National Red Crescent
Society, and the Bishkek Rotary Club) organized a photo exhibition in the Kyrgyz
House of Parliament on landmines and poverty in the Batken border
region.[5] On 12 March 2004,
the National Red Crescent Society hosted a roundtable discussion on landmines in
the Batken region.[6] On 13
March, the Kyrgyz National University (KNU) and the National Red Crescent
Society held a conference on the Mine Ban Treaty that was attended by
representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IPPNW Kyrgyz Committee,
NRCS, and law students and faculty from
KNU.[7] On 19 May, the National
Red Crescent Society held a seminar “Mass media and Red Crescent”
for journalists in Osh in the Batken region, which also addressed the landmine
issue.[8] On 27 May, medical
students at the Kyrgyz-Russian University held a conference on landmines and
disarmament in which members of the IPPNW-Kyrgyz youth section gave a
presentation on landmines in the
Batken.[9] On 28 June, the
“Mir” regional television network presented a documentary film about
mine victims in the Batken called “Frontiers of life,” produced by
Alexandr Knyazev with funds provided by the US Embassy in Kyrgyzstan and
technical by Internews Network of
Kyrgyzstan.[10] On 23 July
2004, the Kyrgyz Red Crescent Society hosted a roundtable discussion with Red
Crescent representatives from Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan to discuss conflict
prevention, including how they might work together on issues such as
landmines.[11]
Production, Transfer, Stockpiling and Use
Kyrgyzstan has stated that it has not produced or exported antipersonnel
mines, but inherited a stockpile of mines from the Soviet
Union.[12] The Deputy Minister
of Foreign Affairs acknowledged that Kyrgyzstan used landmines in 1999 and 2000
to prevent infiltration across border areas, but maintained that these areas
have been demined.[13]
According to the Chief of the Engineering Battalion of the Ministry of Frontier
Troops, no landmines were emplaced in 2003, but it is possible that landmines
will be used in the future if
necessary.[14] He added that
Kyrgyzstan would continue using landmines until the Border Service had an
appropriate substitute.
Landmine Problem
In 1999 and 2000, Uzbekistan laid antipersonnel mines on the border with
Kyrgyzstan to prevent incursions by the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU)
rebel group. Uzbek minefields are emplaced inside Kyrgyzstan around the Tajik
enclave of Sokh, around the Shakhi-Mardan enclave, and along other border areas.
According to Kyrgyz border guards, two to three mine explosions occur in the
Sokh enclave every month.[15]
Experts from the Kyrgyz Parliament Committee for Security estimate the width of
the mined areas around Sokh and Shakhi-Mardan enclaves at not less than 250
meters, with high mining density, from 2,000 to 3,000 mines (fragmentation
OZM-72) per kilometer.[16]
Kyrgyzstan’s requests for Uzbekistan to provide maps of the minefields
have not yet been successful and in July 2003, the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign
Affairs issued a statement condemning Uzbekistan’s refusal to hand over
the maps.[17] Landmines in
Kyrgyzstan, in addition to causing injuries, have adversely affected endangered
species, tourism, and
agriculture.[18]
It is unclear whether there are still mines along the Kyrgyz-Tajik border.
In July 2003, a Ministry of Defense official said all Kyrgyz-laid landmines on
the border had been cleared.[19]
In April 2004, however, AgenceFrance-Presse reported that there
were still landmines on the Tajik side of the border than had been emplaced by
Kyrgyz troops.[20] That same
month, Tajik inspectors reported finding antipersonnel minefields near the
border with Kyrgyzstan, although it was not clear which country had laid the
mines.[21]
Mine Action
A law passed on 7 June 2001 forms the legal basis for mine clearance in
Kyrgyzstan.[22] In February
2002, a Ministry of Defense official said that 320,000 square meters of
mine-affected land along the Uzbek border had been
cleared.[23] The Kyrgyz Army
has established a new Engineering Battalion and all large troop divisions have
specialist engineers attached. Engineer units in Osh have also been augmented
with additional troops.[24]
After the commission of border delineation completes its work, Kyrgyz Army
engineering units plan to re-commence border
demining.[25]
In 2002, the Kyrgyz military reportedly began clearance in some areas, but,
according to the Kyrgyz Border Guard Service, stopped due to disputes about the
border. A representative of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Defense General Staff
reported that Kyrgyz demining efforts were halted due to the warnings from the
Uzbek border guards that “if we [Kyrgyzstan] clear mines they will replant
them there again.”[26] In
March 2003, it was reported that Kyrgyz border troops had cleared some
minefields laid by
Uzbekistan.[27] A Kyrgyz
Defense Ministry official, Tairbek Madymarov, said that the Uzbeks “stated
quite clearly that if the Kyrgyz personnel dug up and defused the mines, more
would be planted.”[28]
According to the Chief of the Engineering Battalion of the Ministry of
Frontier Troops, Kyrgyzstan conducted mine clearance in the first half of 2003,
but that work had again stopped due to border disputes with
Uzbekistan.[29] The
Kyrgyz-Uzbek commission on delimitation of the border has not yet completed its
work, and until it is finished the military cannot begin to clear the boundary
territories.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated in February 2004 that
Uzbekistan had replanted mines in areas that the Kyrgyz workers had
cleared.[30] The Kyrgyz Prime
Minister, Nikolai Tanayev, also reported in February 2004 that Uzbekistan had
cancelled an agreement on the delimitation of a 27-kilometer strip of a disputed
border line. Officials believed that this action would further hinder efforts
to clear the minefields near the
border.[31]
In June 2004, Uzbekistan announced that it would reverse a 1999 decision to
mine its borders, and begin clearing the mines along the borders with Kyrgyzstan
and Tajikistan. The authorities attributed the decision to increased
cooperation between law enforcement
forces.[32]
Mine Risk Education
In January 2003, the Red Crescent Society, in coordination with the Ministry
of Emergency Situations, initiated a community-based mine risk education (MRE)
program in Batken Oblast. Red Crescent volunteers conduct MRE trainings for
adults and schoolchildren. The Red Crescent has produced and disseminated
information exhibits and billboards, as well as booklets, posters, and
updates.[33] Red Crescent
Society volunteers, with support from the ICRC, placed warning signs in
mine-affected areas of the Batken region, and also built playgrounds and youth
clubs in the Chon-Kara, Tayan, and Sai villages of the southern Batken district
so that the local youth have safe places to play and congregate. Nasira
Baratbaeva, coordinator of the mine risk education program of the Red Crescent
Society, stated, “We can say that thanks to the program, there haven't
been any mine incidents since February 2003 as people are now aware of the
danger they live in.”[34]
The Red Crescent Society plans to equip seven more villages in
2004.[35]
Landmine/UXO Casualties and Survivor Assistance
On 23 February 2003, a Kyrgyz civilian was killed when he stepped on a mine
while herding livestock seven kilometers west of Chon-Kara in the Batken
region.[36] No casualties have
been reported for the first half of 2004.
The total number of landmine casualties in Kyrgyzstan is not known.
According to the National Red Crescent Society, ten landmine casualties occurred
in the Batken region near the Uzbek border since 1999; five people were killed,
and about half of the casualties were
children.[37] Landmine Monitor
recorded eight mine casualties between 2000 and 2002: one killed and three
injured in 2001; and four injured in 2000, including two
children.[38] Kyrgyz and Tajik
officials stated in July 2004 that landmines planted along its borders by
Uzbekistan have caused at least 70 deaths – including many children
– since 1999.[39]
In 2003, Batken Oblast officials reportedly lodged a formal request for
compensation from Uzbekistan in the amount of 6 million som (approximately
$121,000), claiming this amount as the cost of Uzbek mines in terms of lives,
land, and opportunities
lost.[40]
In 2001 and 2002, three incidents involving unexploded ordnance were also
reported which killed five
children.[41]
The public health system is free-of-charge in Kyrgyzstan. Landmine and UXO
casualties receive the same medical assistance as all other
citizens.[42]
Kyrgyzstan does not have an orthotic and prosthetic center capable of fitting
artificial limbs. Amputees requiring such treatment would have to travel to the
Dushanbe Orthopedic Center in Tajikistan, run by the
ICRC.[43] However, none of the
five known mine survivors living in Batken region require artificial limbs and
all have received and continue to receive medical assistance. While physical
rehabilitation services exist, psychological and socio-economic support is less
available due to economic problems in the
country.[44]
All civilians with a disability are protected under common law and there are
no special laws or decrees for landmine survivors.
[1] Statement by Kyrgyzstan, Standing on
Stockpile Destruction, 12 February
2004. [2] Interview with Talant
Kushchubekov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 10 February
2004. [3] “International
conference on landmines starts in Kyrgyzstan on 5 November,” Itar-Tass
(Kyrgyzstan), 5 November 2003; “Issues of use of antipersonnel mines to be
discussed in Bishkek,” Asia-Plus (Tajikistan), 5 November
2003. [4] ICBL Press Release,
“Campaigners Urge Central Asian Leaders to Support Landmine Ban,” 5
November 2003; “Kyrgyzstan urged to join Ottawa Convention on
antipersonnel mines,” Kyrgyz TV (Bishkek), 5 November
2003. [5] Olesya Chernogubova,
“Batken: a zone of landmines and danger,” The Times of Central Asia
(Bishkek), 31 October 2003. [6] Elena
Tikhonenko, “Stupid Landmine,” Moscowskii komsomolec 17 Murch
2004. [7] “A conference on
elimination of antipersonnel mines to be held in Bishkek,” www.kyrgyzinfo.kg, 12 March
2004. [8] W. Zilinga, “Media and
Red Crescent,” Echo Osha (Osh) 19 May
2004. [9] See www.kabar.kg, 27 May
2004. [10] Interview with Alexandr
Knyazev, television journalist, Bishkek, 9 September
2004. [11] “Kyrgyz, Uzbek, Tajik
Red Crescent groups discuss boosting cooperation,” FERGANA, 23 July
2004. [12] Statement by Talant
Kushchubekov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, 12 February
2004. [13]
Ibid. [14] Statement by Col. Vladimer
Buchov, Chief of the Engineering Battalion of the Ministry of Frontier Troops,
at the conference in Bishkek, 5 November 2003; see also “Kyrgyzstan to
continue using landmines,” Res Publica (Bishkek), 11 November 2003
(translated by BBC). [15] Aella
Panfilova, “Anclave Sokh–a Stumbling Point,” Eurasia Today, 6
May 2003. The Kyrgyzstan delegate also mentioned this at the February 2004
intersessional Standing Committee meeting. See Statement by Talant
Kushchubekov, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geneva, 12 February
2004. [16] Sultan Zhimagulov (Bishkek)
and Olga Borisova (Tashkent), “Kyrgyzstan Tries to Defend Itself from
Uzbek Mines,” Navigator (Kazakhstan), 14 March 2003, available at www.navi.kz. [17]
“Kyrgyzstan protests Uzbek ambassador over border shooting death,”
AFP (Bishkek), 18 July 2003; Tolkun Namatbayeva, “Shooting on Kyrgyz-Uzbek
border renews Central Asian security fears,” AFP (Ferghana Valley), 18
July 2003. [18] Alisher Taksanov,
“Uzbekistan ignores landmine threat,” The Times of Central Asia, 19
December 2003. [19] Interview with
Col. Daniyr Izbasarov, Director, Engineer Department, Ministry of Defense,
Bishkek, 3 July 2003. The Ministry of Defense reportedly said in 2001 that one
remote minefield remained, which would be demined in the future. Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, p. 689. [20]
“Mines make childhood dangerous pastime in Tajikistan,” AFP
(Dushanbe), 24 April 2004. [21]
“Jordan’s Queen Nur attends mine-clearing drill in Tajik
south,” Tajik Radio, 16 April
2004. [22] Landmine Monitor Report
2001, p. 889. [23] See Landmine
Monitor Report 2002, p. 690. [24]
Interview with Col. Daniyr Izbasarov, Ministry of Defense, 27 March
2003. [25] Ibid. See also
“Kyrgyzstan blasts Uzbek border control policies,” AP (Bishkek), 21
June 2004. [26] Sultan Zhimagulov and
Olga Borisova, “Uzbek Mines,” Navigator, 14 March
2003. [27] “Kyrgyzstan to Patrol
Kazakh Border,” Radio Free Europe, 13 March
2003. [28] “Uzbek Kyrgyz Border
Danger,” 21 March 2003. [29]
Statement by Col. Vladimer Buchov, Ministry of Frontier Troops, 5 November
2003. [30] Statement by Kyrgyzstan,
Standing Committee on Stockpile Destruction, 12 February
2004. [31] Alexei Dmitriyev,
“Mine at the Border,” WPS: Defense & Security (Bishkek), 24
February 2004. [32] “Red Cross
welcomes Uzbekistan's decision to de-mine borders,” AP (Tashkent), 1 July
2004. [33] Interview with Nazira
Baratbaeva, Project Coordinator, National Red Crescent Society, Bishkek, 14
February 2002. [34] Ibid, 29 February,
2004. [35]
Ibid. [36] Alexandra Chernyh,
“Minister asks to open maps,” Moya Stolitza, 27 February 2003;
“Kyrgyz man dies from Uzbek-laid mine in disputed territory,”
Associated Press, 25 February
2003. [37] “Five Kyrgyz killed,
five injured Uzbek border mine incidents,” Kabar (Bishkek), 24 October
2003. [38] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 691; Landmine Monitor Report 2001, pp.
890-891. [39] “Uzbekistan to
clear mines on Tajik, Kyrgyz borders,” AFP (Tashkent), 23 June
2004. [40] “Kyrgyzstan’s
Batken Oblast Tries to Collect Damages from Uzbekistan,” Radio Free
Europe, 5 March 2003. [41] See
Landmine Monitor Report 2003, p.
629. [42] Interview with Tajinisa
Shorohova, Deputy Director, Batken Hospital, Batken, 14 February 2003; see also
Landmine Monitor Report 2002, p.
691. [43] See Landmine Monitor Report
2002, p. 691. [44] Interview with
Tajinisa Shorohova, Batken Hospital, 14 February 2003.