Countries of the Central Asia region, namely Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are increasingly confronted with growing migration flows of different origins including economic and political motivations, ethnic conflicts and environmental problems. To a various degree they are at the same time host countries, countries of origin and transit countries.
Migration in and from Kyrgyzstan and other countries of Central Asia should not only be considered, as it often is, solely in terms of an economic challenge but also as a human rights issue with a considerable impact on migrants, refugees and the host population.
Upon submitting its request for a partnership for democracy status with the Parliamentary Assembly, the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan has undertaken to follow Council of Europe standards with regard to human rights protection and democratic principles. Therefore, it is crucial that its relevant migration policies include these dimensions.
The Assembly should look more closely into the Kyrgyz authorities’ responses to migration challenges in the broader context of the migration situation in the region with a view to sharing their own experience and recommending measures aimed at complying with Council of Europe standards.