The statement emphasizes that the increasing cases of violent crimes against women and children, including murders, have caused public concern.
In response to the rise in violence, the President of the country, Sadyr Japarov, has taken personal control of the case concerning the tragic death of a 17-year-old girl from Karakol and instructed state structures to consider the possibility of amending legislation to strengthen penalties for such crimes as child rape and murders with aggravating circumstances.
From October 13 to 28, 2025, discussions were held regarding proposals related to the draft law "On Amending the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic" and the repeal of the law on joining the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims for the complete abolition of the death penalty. As a result of the discussions, the majority of participants expressed opposition to the restoration of the death penalty, as noted in the statement.
On December 2, 2025, President Japarov sent the aforementioned draft law to the Constitutional Court for an official opinion.
On December 10, 2025, the Constitutional Court, considering both constitutional and international legal aspects, ruled that the restoration of the death penalty through an amendment to the Constitution contradicts the country's fundamental law and is unacceptable. As a result, the draft law cannot be put to a referendum, and all actions for its implementation must cease from the moment the court's decision comes into effect.
It is important to note that the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Kyrgyzstan has acceded, implies a complete abolition of the death penalty and does not include a mechanism for its denunciation.
Thus, by joining the protocol, the state has undertaken an indefinite obligation not to introduce the death penalty and not to apply it under any circumstances.
The introduction of the death penalty under such conditions could lead to a violation of Kyrgyzstan's international obligations, which is incompatible with the recognition of international law and the principle of good faith in the performance of international treaties, as enshrined in the Constitution.
Kyrgyzstan, as a rule of law state, will continue to fulfill all international obligations. Within the framework of these obligations, work will continue on amendments to national legislation aimed at tightening penalties for crimes against women and children.
