Riots in Kyrgyzstan

A surge of violence against ethnic Uzbeks living in southern Kyrgyzstan resulted in over 190 dead and about 1,900 injured in June. 400,000 people fled their homes in the cities of Osh, Jalalabad and surrounding villages. For several days, the police and army were ineffective in stopping the riots. 

Although thousands of refugees have returned home, thousands more displaced persons are being cared for by aid agencies.

The interim government accused allies of the previous president, Bakiyev, who was overthrown in April, of fomenting the riots in an attempt to prevent a referendum vote on the constitution set for June 27.