S.O.S. from Osh, June 2010. Photo: Michael Andersen/IMS

Just a few weeks ago, the city of Osh in southeastern Kyrgyzstan was all chaos, killings and an ugly demonstration of the lowest instincts in human beings. But even in the darkest of times, thousands of people showed that they did not loose their human dignity. Read the first report of a series dedicated to documenting ‘the Heroes of Osh'

Written by a group of journalists in Osh including ethnic Kyrgyz, Uzbeks, Russians and a single Dane, Osh

At a time when many inhabitants in Osh allowed themselves to be ruled by heated emotions, angry mobs and provocateurs, others risked their lives saving neighbours, friends or just acquaintances. They did not ask who he or she was – Uzbek or Kyrgyz.

This is a real feat. And should be recognised. They do not want to give their names, but we think that society should know these stories. Maybe this will also help in re-establishing dignified relations.

- But they also people! says Anipa who herself is ethnic Kyrgyz but who hid two ethnic Uzbek women in her flat at a time when an angry mob roamed through her bloc of flats.

In the scope of just one day, we met many such residents in Osh who helped each other.

Anipa lives in one of the busiest neighbourhoods of Osh, many cafés, restaurants, offices, and shops. This is a so-called mixed neighbourhood with many Uzbeks and Kyrgyz living close together. Modern housing is mixed with narrow, old streets.

Many people live in each of the small houses. Here, traditions demands that parents in their old age live with and are cared for by their children, and often you can find several generations and many relatives living together under the same roof.

People here will never forget June 2010 in Osh.

- I came home on the third day of the riots, Anipa (Kyrgyz) says and continues: In our bloc of flats there were still ethnic Uzbeks left. My neighbours asked for help and I hid the woman and her daughter. In the hallway I could hear the rioting crowds.

In Anipa's bloc of flats all the neighbours had good relations and always greeted each other politely in the hallway. Now, after the tragic events, they do not only greet each other but also check whether everybody has enough to eat and whether everything is okay with relatives.

- We somehow got closer and more friendly with each other, Anipa says.

- Crime does not have a nationality. I detest and condemn the criminals who did these horrible things - whether they are Uzbeks or Kyrgyz. Normal people are not capable of committing such terrible deeds as were seen here in Osh, Anipa says.

Ainura's house is on Kalinin Street – where predominantly ethnic Uzbeks live. But even as the riots increased, Ainura who is Kyrgyz refused to leave when her daughter Chinara called her. Chinara works with an NGO in Osh.

- I begged her to leave, Chinara says.

- My neighbours would never let anything happen to me, her mother told her.

And she was right. Nobody ever touched her mother. And she still lives there without problems – an ethnic Kyrgyz amongst Uzbeks. And even though Osh is still full of rumours and fear, her daughter is not afraid, she is convinced her mother is safe with her Uzbek neighbours.

Cheremyski – the hardest hit neighbourhood in Osh

During the tragic days between 11 to 15 June, gunfire was constantly heard, houses were burnt, looting was rife and nobody had a clear picture of what was going on in Osh. Everybody was afraid. Everyone constantly feared that somebody would come and burn down the house or kill him or her.

But in our search now, nearly every street is home to people who helped each other, defended their streets, their houses and the people closest to them.

Maruf is an ethnic Uzbek:

- In our neighbourhood live both Uzbeks, Kyrgyz and Russians. Together we built barricades using doors, windows as well as roof materials and organised joint patrols to defend our neighbourhood and families, he says.

The area of Cheremyski is one of the hardest hit neighbourhoods in Osh. Houses here are burnt to the ground, looted and window frames stick out, smashed glass everywhere, a couple of baby prams lie burnt on the ground in one of the backyards. It makes you sick just looking at it.

One of the inhabitants, Sukhrat, an ethnic Uzbek, describes what happened:

- On the third day of the riots, the situation got even worse. And we agreed with our neighbours that we would hide each other if needed. Thank God, we have some very good neighbours – they are Kyrgyz. They told us that they were leaving to go into hiding in a village. They gave us the keys to their flat, and told us to go and stay there.

- Nobody would look for us Uzbeks in a flat owned by Kyrgyz people. They had even filled the fridge with food. They told us that they would try to get us out later.

When Sukhrat talks about the events, it is evident how shocked he still is. His hands are shaking and he is constantly looking around. He is clearly uncomfortable talking about these terrible events, but at the same time he feels strongly about letting the world know how he good people saved him.

Neighbours cooking food for each other

- You know, he says, when we were running out of food, some people whose houses and outhouses had burnt, slaughtered some of their goats and the whole neighbourhood sat down together and ate goat. And we talked. Everybody without exception, no matter his or her ethnic background, were given some food, he says and for once he is smiling. He is clearly proud of his people, not Uzbek or Kyrgyz, just people in his neighbourhood in Osh.

- A few days later, we – my wife, our two kids and I - were helped out.

- It is important to thank people, to thank them simply for their human dignity. Even though everything is so bad now in Osh, and we are all so afraid, it is necessary to talk about the good parts as well.

In another part of town, we meet Feruza, a 25-year old ethnic Uzbek women with two small children.

- Our neighbour Alimbek – an ethnic Kyrgyz – told us that if the situation worsened, we could count on him. He hid us in his basement, gave us matresses and bed covers. There were several of our other Uzbek neighbours hiding there already. He hid us there for days. Later we managed to flee from the neighbourhood to a safe place.

- For a week we stayed with family 25 km from Osh, but some days ago we returned to our home, Feruza says.

- Unfortunately I have now heard that our good neighbour Alimbek has fallen ill from the exhaustion and stress.

Mana is a businessman, ethnic Kyrgyz. When he saw our microphones, he approached us and clearly wanted to talk. He also lent a helping hand to people. An Uzbek colleague had asked him to help evacuate her 10-year old daughter.

- She was so afraid, it is her only child, he explained.

It is difficult to imagine how they got the girl out from the 'war zone' in the middle of the worst period. But they managed somehow, setting aside the difficulties and danger it meant to themselves.

- How can you refuse to help people? Mana says:

- I have children myself. If I had not helped, I would newer have been able to forgive myself!

Notes for the editor:

In light of the recent events, IMS stepped up its activities in Kyrgyzstan. Among many things, IMS is helping local journalists gather information and documentation to cast light over what happened in Osh during the violence 11-15 June and to share evidence of the many good deeds that saved many lives. This is part of the ongoing Fergana Open Valley Programme. Journalists write under anonymity for the sake of their personal safety. Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Russian versions of this article, as well as audio file versions of the article in the three languages can be found at www.freedolina.net 

Contact in IMS: Michael Andersen