Azernews.Az

BAKU – The threat of increased discrimination against minorities in Kyrgyzstan on religious or ethnic grounds looms after civil unrest in the country earlier this year, Human Rights Watch's Central Asia researcher Andrea Berg was quoted as saying.

"I mean all the types of threats and harassment and discrimination of minority groups in Kyrgyzstan are more sensitive at the moment because of the June violence," Berg told Trend in a telephone interview.

A new wave of anxiety among the population was caused by a recent bombing of a synagogue. While the motive for the attack has not been confirmed by officials, the event caused stir in the press because it was seen as another act of religious discrimination in the Muslim country.

Riots occurred in Kyrgyzstan in April and June this year resulting in the overthrow of the government and numerous casualties. Ethnic strife between indigenous Kyrgyz and Uzbeks living in the country was seen as a cause of the violence.

"I have read about the explosion in the synagogue only in [the] media. I think officials now have to investigate this incident," Berg said.

She said that now that Kyrgyz society is divided along Kyrgyz and Uzbek lines with the gap between them growing.

"Each side has its own story of events and it is very difficult to discuss the views of the other group," she said.