23 Facts About Roza Otunbayeva

Roza Otunbayeva was sworn in on 3 July 2010, after acting as interim leader following the 2010 April Revolution, which led to the ousting of President Kurmanbek Bakiyev.

Roza Otunbayeva previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and as head of the parliamentary caucus for the Social Democratic Party of Kyrgyzstan.

Roza Otunbayeva is known for the persecution of human rights activist Azimzhan Askarov and the failed policy that led to the clashes of June 2010.

Since 2022, Otunbayeva has been serving as United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's Special Representative for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.

Roza Otunbayeva was born in Frunze, Kirghiz SSR, USSR into the family of Isak Otunbayev, a member of the Supreme Court of Kyrgyz SSR, and Salika Daniyarova, a teacher.

Roza Otunbayeva graduated from the Philosophy Faculty of Moscow State University in 1972 and went on to teach as Senior Teacher and then as Head of the Philosophy Department at Kyrgyz State National University for six years.

Roza Otunbayeva is fluent in Russian, English, German and French in addition to Kyrgyz.

From 1983 to 1986, Roza Otunbayeva served as the Secretary of the City Communist Party Committee in Frunze.

From March to September 2005, Roza Otunbayeva served as Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Roza Otunbayeva was one of the key leaders of the Tulip Revolution in Kyrgyzstan which led to the overthrow of President Akayev.

Roza Otunbayeva then ran unsuccessfully in a parliamentary by-election a few months later.

Roza Otunbayeva played a key role in the November 2006 protests that pressed successfully for a new democratic constitution.

Roza Otunbayeva was the co-chairwoman of the country's Asaba National Revival Party for a short time.

Roza Otunbayeva served as the Leader of the Opposition SDP from 2008 to 2010.

Roza Otunbayeva is considered to be unusual as there are few women in politics in Kyrgyzstan.

Roza Otunbayeva declared that new elections would be called within six months and that she would act as president until then.

Roza Otunbayeva however was prohibited by the new constitution from running in the 2011 presidential election and her term ended on 31 December 2011.

The trial for the June 2010 events is still ongoing in Kyrgyzstan, and the name of Roza Otunbayeva Otunbaeva is voiced repeatedly.

The term of office of President Roza Otunbayeva expired on December 1,2011.

Words of Askarov against Roza Otunbayeva were supported by international commission of International Federation of Human Rights FIDH:.

Roza Otunbayeva has received France's "Legion of Honour" Award with the degree of Commander, as well as the highest order of Mongolia's "Polar Star" Award.

Roza Otunbayeva was awarded the Premio Minerva Medallion, which is presided over by the President of the Italian Republic, "For occupying the highest institutional role in Kyrgyzstan, and for her international activities promoting democracy and peace".

In 2011, Roza Otunbayeva received an International Women of Courage Award, which is presented annually by the United States Department of State to women around the world who have shown leadership, courage, resourcefulness, and the willingness to sacrifice for others, especially while promoting women's rights.