Yntymak Radio Aims to Reconcile Uzbek and Kyrgyz Communities after Violence in Southern Kyrgyzstan | Internews

Yntymak Radio Aims to Reconcile Uzbek and Kyrgyz Communities after Violence in Southern Kyrgyzstan | Internews

Violence that broke out between ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities in southern Kyrgyzstan in June, 2010 left nearly 500 people dead and more than 400,000 displaced from their homes. While the threat of violence has since subsided, mistrust between the two groups remains high. Ethnic Kyrgyz feel they have been unjustly blamed for the conflict and many have responded by embracing ultra-nationalistic sentiments. Meanwhile, many ethnic Uzbeks have lost their livelihoods, property, and sense of security.

Uzbek-language media disappeared from the airwaves in the wake of the riots. Fear and self-censorship continue to silence discussion of the issues that led to the conflict and widen divisions between the two groups.