Satellite images were released and analyzed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and Amnesty International’s Science for Human Rights Program.

The new findings were released shortly after a top U.N. official warned the Security Council that ethnic tensions in Kyrgyzstan continue, along with fears that there could be another wave of violence in the strategic Central Asian state.

Entire neighborhoods are burnt down (1,640 structures are damaged or destroyed in total), leaving only empty shells of houses behind.

Two sattelite pictures on the left show that  entire neighborhoods appear to have been destroyed; their empty shells contrast sharply with the few undamaged buildings remaining in this area. The “before” image (top) is from 15 March 2007 and the “after” image date is 18 June 2010. The 18 June image illustrates a subset of damage to the Cheremushki neighborhood, to the west of Osh.

Cry for help
Even more distressing is the fact that more than one hundred “SOS” signs throughout Osh were found, mainly in still intact areas. The varying sizes, shapes, and orientations of these images show little regard for the viewing angle or perspective of ground-based observers.

Here you can watch Amnesty International movie showing unrest and violence in Osh province.

As such, it is likely that many of them would be difficult to read, except from above, indicating that the population was desperately hoping for help from abroad is aware that it is being observed from above.

The release of satellite images comes amidst reports concerns that the Kyrgyzstani interim government is not in full control of its security force and that Uzbekistani authorities started expelling refugees to Kyrgyzstan.

Amnesty International is very concerned that encouragement by the Kyrgyzstani interim government for refugees and internally displaced persons to return to their homes is premature as Kyrgyzstani security forces do not appear to be able to ensure the safety and security of these persons.

Hundreds of thousands of refugees
According to Christoph Koettl, Project Manager for Science for Human Rights at Amnesty International in the USA, the deadly violence started with clashes between rival gangs of mostly Kyrgyz and Uzbek youths on 10 June.

Clashes rapidly escalated, reportedly leaving more than 2,000 people dead and thousands injured. Around 400,000 people are reported to have fled their homes and about 100,000 are believed to have fled to Uzbekistan.

Red spots on the picture on the right show SOS signs. There are 116 of them in Osh.

The images confirm that while most of the city remains largely intact, where present, the damage is severe. Large swaths of buildings in the city appear to have been destroyed, a pattern which is repeated in the northern and eastern suburbs. Additionally, on numerous occasions the letters “SOS” appear on roadways and athletic fields throughout the city. The total count of “SOS” messages within this study area is 116.

To clarify all facts on the ground, Amnesty International called for an international investigation into the violent events that have taken place in the week starting 10 June in southern Kyrgyzstan. Only an international investigation will be considered unbiased and credible by all affected groups.

HRH Bergen, based on Christoph Koettl, Project Manager for Science for Human Rights at Amnesty International in the USA, Amnesty International Norway and AAAS Science and Human Rights Program articles.

Related links:

Kyrgyzstan: two killed, about twenty wounded in special operation in Osh Province

Kyrgyzstan: International support necessary to restore order, provide humanitarian aid and democracy