OSCE parliamentary President calls for calm in Kyrgyzstan
COPENHAGEN, 8 April 2010 – The President of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, JoaoSoares, today expressed his deep concern for those killed and injured in clashes in recentdays in Kyrgyzstan and urged all parties to exercise restraint and to seek a peaceful solution.“It is absolutely unacceptable that political leaders, including former Members of the OSCEParliamentary Assembly, have been subject to imprisonment or violence,” Mr. Soares said.“The Kyrgyz authorities and people must now again demonstrate their respect fordemocratic values and the rule of law.”President Soares supports the statement of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, KazakhForeign Minister Kanat Saudabayev, and echoes the call for all parties to engage in aprocess of constructive dialogue.“It is particularly in times of crisis that we must be vigilant in adhering to our human rightscommitments. A peaceful resolution and broad-based political dialogue is the only wayforward for Kyrgyzstan,” said Joao Soares, adding that the Parliamentary Assembly standsready to support OSCE efforts aimed at facilitating dialogue.