Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan
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| Uyghur[2] | |
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There is a population of Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan (Kyrgyz: Кыргызстандагы уйгурлар, قىرعیزستانداعی ۇيعۇرلار, Kırgızstandagı uygurlar), who mostly came to the country in three separate migrations throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.[3] According to official statistics, they make up about 0.9% of the national population.[1]
Migration history
Uyghur migration to Kyrgyzstan can be analysed in three waves. The first wave began in the late 19th century.
Trade and employment
Uyghur migrants who have come from Xinjiang to Kyrgyzstan to engage in cross-border trade tend to cluster in the East-5 suburb of Bishkek. Their bilingualism has enabled them to act as business intermediaries between Han Chinese and local people.[10] However, their bazaars have become the targets of numerous attacks. In 2000, a fire broke out in the Tour Bazaar, and Uyghurs attempting to investigate arson were attacked in their car, with two being shot to death. Another suspicious fire occurred there in 2002; water service was mysteriously disrupted that day, and Uyghurs accused the police of engaging in looting during the blaze.[11] A PRC government report accused the Uyghur Liberation Organisation of starting the fire.[12] In 2005, the Uyghur-dominated Madina Bazaar was set on fire in election-related riots, and Uyghur traders there suffered beatings and lootings.[13]
Uyghurs also run a number of famous restaurants in Bishkek, including Diyar, Arzu and Arcada.[2]
Education
Unlike neighbouring Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan lacks formal education in Uyghur, though some elders run informal schools to teach the language. As a result, the command of the Uyghur language among youth is declining. Many can speak, but are unable to read the Uyghur Ereb Yéziqi (Perso-Arabic orthography).[2]
Organisations
The Uyghur organisation Ittipak was founded in 1989.
Ittipak also publishes an eponymous newspaper, funded by donations from the Uyghur diaspora as well as the
In 2006, the Uyghur American Association established a Uyghur Human Rights Project satellite office in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.[16]
Inter-ethnic relations
Common stereotype portrays them as mostly successful people in trading.
Notes
- ^ a b c "Total population by nationality". National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic. Retrieved 14 December 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Mukhammadov, Rustam (2002-11-09), "The Uyghur minority in Kyrgyzstan", Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Analyst, retrieved 2010-04-13
- ^ Hojer 2009, pp. 1–2
- ^ a b Hojer 2009, p. 2
- ^ Zhaparov 2009, p. 81
- ^ Hojer 2009, p. 6
- ^ a b Population and Housing Census 2009. Chapter 3.1. Resident population by nationality (PDF) (in Russian), Bishkek: National Committee on Statistics, 2010, retrieved 2021-12-14
- ^ Hojer 2009, p. 3
- ^ a b c Mukhamedov, Rustam (2004-01-28), "Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan under careful government supervision", Central Asia-Caucasus Institute Analyst, retrieved 2010-04-13
- ^ Zhaparov 2009, p. 84
- ^ Millward 2004, p. 21
- ^ Millward 2004, p. 26
- ^ "Uyghurs in Kyrgyzstan Tell of Bazaar Destruction, Beatings During Looting", FSU Monitor, 2005-03-29, archived from the original on 2006-08-22, retrieved 2010-04-13
- ^ a b Marat, Erica (2009-08-13), "Uyghur Diaspora Faces Government Pressure in Kyrgyzstan", Jamestown Foundation Eurasia Daily Monitor, vol. 6, no. 156, retrieved 2010-04-13
- ^ Millward 2004, p. 20
- ^ "Remarks at the 5th Biannual Congress of the Uyghur American Association by Nury Turkel". Uyghur American Association. 28 May 2006. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
Through the hard work of UAA Vice President Omer Kanat, UAA has established a UHRP satellite office in Bishkek, which was included in UHRP's 2006 grant proposal.
- ^ "Dungans, Uyghurs Attacked in Northern Kyrgyz Town", Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 2010-04-09, retrieved 2010-04-13
Sources
- Hojer, Lars (March 2009), What does it take 'to migrate'? Uyghur perspectives from Kyrgyzstan (PDF), Research Fellows Reports, American University of Central Asia, retrieved 2010-04-13
- Millward, James (2004), Violent Separatism in Xinjiang: A Critical Assessment (PDF), Policy Studies, Washington, DC: East-West Center, ISBN 1-932728-11-2, retrieved 2010-04-13
- Zhaparov, Amantur (February 2009), "The Issue of Chinese Migrants in Kyrgyzstan" (PDF), China and Eurasia Forum Quarterly, 7 (1): 81–91, retrieved 2010-04-13[permanent dead link]
