지난 4월7일 키르기스스탄의 수도 비쉬켁(Bishkek)를 중심으로 대규모 반정부 시위가 발생했다. 최근의 심각한 물가 상승에 불만은 품고 거리로 나온 시민들은 이번 시위에서 쿠르만벡 바키예프(Kurmanbek Bakyev) 대통령의 사임을 요구했다.
흥분한 시위대는 경찰의 무기를 빼앗았고, 이때부터 경찰과 시위대 간 폭력적인 대치 상황이 발생했다. 경찰이 시위를 진압하는 과정에서 무력을 과도하게 사용했다는 비난이 일고 있는 가운데 17명이 숨지고, 수많은 부상자가 발생한 것으로 전해진다.
국제앰네스티는 키르기스스탄 정부에 시위대에 대한 폭력 사용을 자제하라고 요청했다. 체포돼 고문이나 부당한 대우의 위험에 처한 야당 인사들에 대한 우려도 나타냈다.
국제앰네스티 유럽-중앙아시아 안드레아 후버(Andrea Huber) 부국장은 “정부의 무력 사용은 극히 제한된 경우에만 허용된다”고 밝히면서, “키르기스스탄 정부는 개인과 공공의 안전을 보호할 권리와 책임이 있다”는 점을 지적했다.
한편, 키르기스스탄 정부는 비쉬켁 등지에 비상사태를 선포한 상태다. 
Authorities in Kyrgyzstan must refrain from unlawful use of force
Wednesday 7 April 2010
Attempts by police to end protests in the capital Bishkek and other cities have reportedly left 17 people dead and many more injured. Amnesty International has called on the authorities in Kyrgyzstan not to use excessive force in their attempts to end protests in the capital Bishkek and other cities that have reportedly left 17 people dead and many more injured.
Demonstrators calling for the resignation of President Kurmanbek Bakyev over rising prices reportedly seized weapons from the police which led to violent confrontations.
“The authorities have the right and the responsibility to protect the lives and safety of the public, but they must not use excessive force. The use of force is legitimate only where it is strictly necessary and proportionate,” said Andrea Huber, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Programme Director.
Tensions between the government and the opposition have escalated in recent weeks and erupted on Tuesday in the city of Talas, following the arrest of an opposition leader who was later released.
Growing discontent among the population caused by rising prices in heating fuel and electricity prompted the opposition to call for nationwide protests to be held on Wednesday should the government not meet a list of demands.
A state of emergency has been declared by the President, Kurmanbek Bakyev, and several opposition figures, who had called for the demonstrations, have been arrested and accused of organizing the riots.
Amnesty International said it is concerned that members of the opposition may have been arrested arbitrarily and that they may face torture or other ill-treatment in detention.
“The Kyrgyz authorities should bear in mind that human rights cannot be trampled on even in a state of emergency,” Andrea Huber said.
“The unrest must not be used as a pretext to further restrict freedom of assembly and freedom of expression.”
