Kyrgyzstan Rejects Initiative to Reinstate Death Penalty

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic has rejected the initiative to restore the death penalty, the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs reported.

In recent months, there has been an increase in murders of children and women under aggravating circumstances, which sparked wide public concern.

The President of Kyrgyzstan, concerned about the rise in such brutal crimes, personally oversaw the investigation of the murder of a 17-year-old girl in Karakol and instructed the competent authorities to prepare proposals to amend legislation allowing the death penalty for murders involving rape or violent acts against children.

From 13 to 28 October 2025, the relevant draft laws were subjected to public discussion, during which the majority of participants opposed the reinstatement of the death penalty. On 2 December 2025, President Sadyr Japarov submitted a constitutional amendment draft to the Constitutional Court for an official review.

On 10 December 2025, the Constitutional Court, considering both constitutional and international legal arguments, concluded that reinstating the death penalty through a constitutional amendment contradicts the country’s Basic Law and is impermissible.

As a result, the draft law cannot be submitted to a referendum, and all procedures related to its advancement are terminated from the moment the court’s decision takes effect.

The statement emphasized that Kyrgyzstan, as a rule-of-law state, will comply with the Constitutional Court’s decision and continue to faithfully fulfill its international obligations.

At the same time, work will continue to strengthen penalties for crimes against children and women under national legislation.