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Uzbekistan: Refugees

Volume 482: debated on Tuesday 4 November 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of refugees who left Uzbekistan for neighbouring countries following events in Andijan in May 2005; and if he will make a statement. (229366)

UK estimates of the number of refugees who left Uzbekistan for neighbouring countries following events in Andijan in May 2005 are based on figures released by the international agencies.

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) was closely involved in supporting efforts by Kyrgyzstan to give shelter to some 500 refugees from Andijan in May 2005. Of the 450 refugees who initially registered with UNHCR, 439 were transferred to Romania at the end of July and on to third countries. There may be many more Uzbek refugees in Kyrgyzstan who have not registered with UNHCR or other international organisations.

We are aware that small numbers of refugees from Uzbekistan applied for asylum in other states including Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan.

The EU has raised concerns with Kyrgyzstan and other host countries at the return of some refugees to Uzbekistan contrary to international law.