BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Kyrgyz authorities need to do more to make sure justice is done when examining ethnic violence in 2010, Human Rights Watch said after a court skirmish.
A Kyrgyz investigation, looking into ethnic violence that gripped parts of southern Kyrgyzstan after an April 2010 coup led President Kurmanbek Bakiyev to flee the country, blamed Uzbek leaders and Bakiyev backers for the conflict.
At least 400 people were killed during June 2010 violence between Kyrgyz and ethnic Uzbeks in the southern regions of Osh and Jalal Abad.
Human Rights Watch said Uzbek defendants on trial in connection with the 2010 violence were attacked in court by relatives of an ethnic Kyrgyz killed during the violence.
"Violence in southern Kyrgyzstan's courtrooms has been going on for too long and leaves no hope for justice for anyone, Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement.
The rights group notes that one of its researchers was chased out of a Kyrgyz courtroom by one of the alleged attackers.
Washington in July congratulated Bishkek on the anniversary of a referendum that approved the post-coup constitution. Since the 2010 coup, the country had parliamentary elections and formed a unity government under Roza Otunbayeva.
Human rights groups said reconciliation between the two main ethnic groups still faces serious challenges.
Otunbayeva was feted in Washington on the 100th International Women's Day in May for leadership in the country.
