NEW YORK, May 4 (UPI) -- Authorities in Kyrgyzstan should pay attention to an investigation into ethnic clashes that erupted after last year's coup, Human Rights Watch said.
A Kyrgyz investigation, looking into ethnic violence that gripped parts of southern Kyrgyzstan after an April coup led President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the country, blamed Uzbek leaders and Bakiyev backers for the conflict.
Washington said it was concerned about allegations of torture during the unrest and analysts said Bishkek wasn't yet ready to conduct "an honest investigation" into the June conflicts.
The government has fought for control since an April coup. Hundreds of people were killed during summer violence between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks in the southern regions of Osh and Jalal Abad.
A separate inquiry investigating the violence found both Kyrgyz and Uzbeks were responsible for atrocities committed in southern Kyrgyzstan after the coup.
"This solid, objective and thorough study details horrific ethnic crimes committed during the 2010 violence," said Ole Solvang, emergencies researcher at Human Rights Watch. "The government should pay careful attention to the commission's findings and carry out its recommendations."
The watchdog group in March said refusal by Kyrgyz authorities to investigate claims of torture is a "serious violation" of law.
