Whilst the two revolutions in Kyrgyzstan (2005 and 2010) were seen as rooted in anger against corruption & governments' social & economic policies, in many areas it transformed into ethnic conflicts around the country - particularly in Osh in 2010. The government minimized crimes committed against Uzbeks & placed significant responsibility for the events on this community. Minority communities also face denial of their language rights & marginalization from the decision-making process.

The project will work to identify the gaps in minority rights & improve the efforts of the government in implementing these rights. It will support civil society organisations in the country, where a civil society culture is only recently taking root. The initiative will address the two major issues affecting Kyrgyzstan, racial discrimination and inter-ethnic tensions and violence, by means of civil society dialogues.