A/HRC/20/12 I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 17/20 of 14 July 2011, whereby the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was requested to continue to provide technical assistance through the Regional Office for Central Asia (ROCA) in Bishkek, to work with the Government of Kyrgyzstan and other actors, as needed, to identify additional areas of assistance that would aid Kyrgyzstan in its ability to fulfil its human rights obligations, and to submit a report thereon to the Council for consideration at the twentieth session of the Council. 2. The report reviews the main human rights developments during the period under review and describes the technical assistance provided by ROCA on specific human rights issues. 3. ROCA was established in Bishkek in 2008 and covers Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. It works to strengthen the capacity of governments, parliaments, national human rights institutions and civil society organizations to address human rights issues. 4. In July 2010, in response to the June 2010 violence in southern Kyrgyzstan, and within the context of the humanitarian emergency phase, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) set up the OHCHR Mission to Osh (OMO). From 30 June 2011, the Mission focused on rule of law issues, with the aim to encourage peacebuilding, stability and reconciliation. It also provided technical assistance to the authorities for the implementation of recommendations of the United Nations Human Rights mechanisms, the High Commissioner and the Commissions of Inquiry into the June 2010 violence.1 5. ROCA/OMO has continued to identify key human rights challenges that persist throughout Kyrgyzstan, advising and providing technical assistance to the Government, Parliament, Ombudsman Institution, civil society organizations and the donor community, to address gaps, build on progress and ensure compliance by Kyrgyzstan with international human rights standards, as highlighted in recommendations of the treaty bodies, United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) Special Procedures, and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). 6. On 30 October 2011, the first presidential election was held since the April 2010 ousting of President Bakiev. Interim Prime Minister, Mr. Almazbek Atambaev, of the Social Democratic Party, won in the first round, with 63.2 per cent of the votes. He defeated a field of 16 candidates. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) found that “the 30 October presidential election was conducted in a peaceful manner, but shortcomings underscored that the integrity of the electoral process should be improved to consolidate the democratic process in line with international commitments”.2 On 1 December 2011, Mr. Atambaev was inaugurated as President and a new Government was formed at the end of 2011. 7. ROCA appreciates the significant support provided by the European Union Instrument for Stability and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. 1 2 National Commission of Inquiry report (January 2011); Ombudsman Institution report (January 2011); Parliamentary Commission report (6 June 2011; Kyrgyzstan Inquiry Commission (3 May 2011). Statement of Preliminary Findings and Conclusions, OSCE/ODIHR International Election Observation, 30 October 2011. 3