Clashes between Pakistani students and locals in Kyrgyzstan lead to mass exodus on Monday.
A staggering wave of xenophobia erupted in Kyrgyzstan, culminating in a brutal brawl between local youth and Pakistani students. This violent confrontation left numerous injuries and triggered a mass exodus of Pakistani students from the country.
The hostilities appear to have started late on May 12, when a seemingly innocuous altercation at a pizzeria in eastern Bishkek led to chaos. A group of Kyrgyz youngsters, reportedly seeking cigarettes from Pakistani customers, initiated a verbal spat. This escalated into a scuffle when a Kyrgyz youth allegedly attacked a Pakistani student, leading the foreigners to hastily retreat to their dormitory at the International University of Kyrgyzstan. Four Kyrgyz youth boldly followed suit, plundering an estimated $2,800 in cash and valuable personal belongings of the school's residents. The situation heated up further as the Kyrgyz youth are said to have harassed female dorm residents, instigating an enraged response from Pakistani students defending their colleagues. One of the Kyrgyz youths was brutally beaten, while the remaining trio scurried away.
A graphic video of the incident circulated online, sparking outrage among some Kyrgyzstanis, who saw the May 12 incident as a national embarrassment. A mob of about 700 people descended on the same dormitory a week later, on the night of May 17, demanding justice. They violently assaulted any foreign student they encountered.
Following the May 17 attack, 41 foreign students sought medical attention, with 11 still being treated at a Bishkek hospital as of May 20.
In response, Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif expressed concern about the situation of Pakistani students in Bishkek on Twitter and instructed the ambassador to provide assistance to the victims. Pakistani authorities also organized charter flights to transport home any student who felt unsafe continuing their studies in Bishkek. As of May 20, 540 Pakistani students in Kyrgyzstan decided to return to their homeland.
Kyrgyz authorities are attempting to diffuse tensions and reassure the foreign students. Edil Baisalov, the deputy head of the Kyrgyz Cabinet, visited the dormitory on May 19, extending an apology and offering a security guarantee. "Your parents and relatives should know that there is no threat to you in Kyrgyzstan, and that authorities bear full responsibility for your well-being," Baisalov told students and staff.
President Sadyr Japarov announced that Pakistani students injured in the melee would not need to pay for their medical expenses. He also blamed unidentified opposition forces for stoking the xenophobic outburst. Japarov vowed that any future incidents of violence would be swiftly suppressed.
The authorities have promised to employ "forceful dispersal methods" from the initial moments and to mete out severe punishment for rowdy behavior, regardless of nationality.
Despite recent clashes primarily involving foreign students, indications suggest that resentments among Kyrgyz are brewing over the perceived displacement of local workers by South Asian laborers in certain sectors of the economy. Kyrgyzstan, known for sending labor migrants to Russia and other countries, is also attracting migrant workers to perform menial jobs.
"These migrants are virtually everywhere – in taxi services, at car washes, as couriers for food delivery services. They are ready to work and live for $300," Baisalov commented during an interview with a regional news outlet. "Naturally, we expel those who break the law and violate the visa regime without hesitation."
[1] Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD), Concluding observations on the combined seventh and eighth periodic reports of Kyrgyzstan, UN Doc. CERD/C/KGZ/CO/7-8 (2024).
News of the escalating tensions between local youth and foreign students, particularly Pakistani students, in Kyrgyzstan has been a general-news topic due to the violent confrontations and the mass exodus of Pakistani students. The initial spark appears to have occurred in a pizzeria in eastern Bishkek, leading to incidents of food-related altercations and crime-and-justice issues, such as plundering and assaults.
