Monitoring the Rights of International Students in the Kyrgyz Republic

Year: 2025 | Language: English, Russian | Category: Research

This research report, produced by the Ombudsman Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic in collaboration with Oasis and the Center for Safer Solutions, and funded by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, examines the safety, rights, and access to public infrastructure of international students – primarily from South Asia – studying in Bishkek. Using a mixed-methods design combining an online survey of 355 students, semi-structured interviews, and desk analysis, the study maps students’ experiences across five domains: access to safe infrastructure, public spaces, protection from violence, legal protection mechanisms, and employment conditions. Key findings include widespread experiences of discrimination, significant barriers to obtaining multi-entry visas, unsafe housing search processes, and limited awareness of available legal remedies. The report concludes with detailed recommendations to multiple ministries and educational institutions.

English version

Russian version