Violent mob attacks on international students in the Kyrgyz capital Bishkek have sparked concerns over the safety of foreign students in the country. The violence erupted following a harassment incident involving Egyptian female students on May 13.
According to Mohammad Abdullah, a Pakistani medical student in Bishkek, the dispute initially stemmed from the harassment of Egyptian female students by locals. He recounted that tensions escalated when Egyptian students confronted the harassers, leading to riots that targeted foreign students, including Pakistanis, across Bishkek.
Adding to the turmoil, students have voiced frustration over the perceived lack of cooperation from the Pakistan embassy amidst the unfolding violence in the capital city.
Local media in Kyrgyzstan reported a brawl between local and foreign students at a hostel in Bishkek on May 13, resulting in the apprehension of at least three foreigners involved in the altercation.
In response to the escalating situation, on the evening of May 17, locals staged protests in Bishkek, demanding action against the foreigners implicated in the dispute. Despite calls from the chief of Bishkek’s Interior Affairs Directorate to end the protest, tensions persisted, leading to the detention of several protesters for violating public order.
Subsequent negotiations between authorities and protesters, facilitated by the head of the federal police, eventually led to the dispersal of the crowds.
Clarifying the extent of casualties, Pakistani authorities in Bishkek confirmed that the Kyrgyz government reported no fatalities among Pakistani students in the recent mob violence against international students. However, reports surfaced of minor injuries sustained by several Pakistani students during the unrest.
The incident underscores the need for swift and effective measures to ensure the safety and well-being of international students in Kyrgyzstan, while also highlighting the importance of diplomatic cooperation in addressing such crises.
