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Returning Home: The Journey of Idimo and Nabizhan

Idimo and Nabizhan, sister and brother, are ethnic Kyrgyz living in Tajikistan. Now in their forties, they were teenagers when their parents first spoke about moving to the Kyrgyz Republic. Generations ago, their ancestors relocated to Jergetal in Tajikistan, hundreds of kilometers south of their ancestral village in the Uzgen district of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Our Stories

From Statelessness to Belonging: Ekaterina’s Story

In 1989, Ekaterina made the journey from Kazakhstan to Kyrgyzstan with hopes of a new beginning. Little did she know, this move would set off a 34-year struggle against statelessness for herself, her daughters, and her granddaughter. Ekaterina settled in the city of Osh, but due to frequent relocations, she lost her passport early on. This seemingly minor setback snowballed into a significant challenge, as she found herself unable to obtain the documents needed to prove her identity. Without official identification, her daughters and granddaughter were also unable to secure essential documents, such as birth certificates and passports, crucial for their education and future opportunities. Despite numerous attempts over the years to rectify their status, Ekaterina and her family faced bureaucratic hurdles and dead ends. It wasn’t until 2023 that a glimmer of hope appeared when Ekaterina reached out to Fergana Valley Lawyers Without Borders (FVLWB). The FVLWB lawyers meticulously gathered the necessary evidence and documents. They navigated the complexities of citizenship laws and tirelessly advocated on Ekaterina’s behalf.

Our Stories

From Citizenship Limbo to Academic Dreams:Izatullo’s Journey to the USA

For 16-year-old Izatullo Mukhtarjanov, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to study in the United States was jeopardized when his passport application was rejected due to a loophole in citizenship legislation. Born to Kyrgyz citizens, Izatullo spent most of his childhood abroad, where he received his first passport at the age of 14.