In its ruling dated December 10, 2025, the Constitutional Court emphasized that the restoration of the death penalty contradicts the constitutional right to life and is explicitly prohibited by the Constitution. The Court also noted that the republic has obligations under international human rights treaties, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims for the complete abolition of the death penalty.
Timur Shakirov, the director of the ICJ program for Europe and Central Asia, highlighted that judicial systems in all countries are prone to errors and potential abuses, and the application of the death penalty makes such errors irreversible. "Maintaining the ban on the death penalty is a key condition for the proper protection of the right to life," he noted.
ICJ also noted that the decision of the Constitutional Court reflects the important place of international human rights agreements in the constitutional system of Kyrgyzstan and highly appreciated the Court's contribution to strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights.
The organization also reminded that, despite the need for states to effectively respond to violence against women and children, as well as to ensure protection for victims and investigate crimes, these goals can be achieved without the application of the death penalty.
