Kyrgyzstan’s Constitutional Court began reviewing a draft law on Wednesday that could reinstate the death penalty in the Central Asian country. Supported by President Sadyr Japarov, the proposal has sparked widespread debate, particularly after the brutal rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in September. The proposed law would allow the death penalty for “particularly serious sexual crimes involving children” and “murders committed with rape,” reports AFP
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has opposed the move, calling it a "serious violation of international law." If the Constitutional Court rules the law constitutional, it will be sent to parliament for a referendum to amend Article 25 of the constitution, which currently prohibits the death penalty. The timeline for the court's decision remains unclear.
Kyrgyzstan, which abolished the death penalty in 2007, has faced growing criticism for human rights under Japarov’s leadership since 2021. Local rights groups argue the country should focus on improving police training and criminal investigations rather than reinstating capital punishment.
Kyrgyzstan's last execution occurred in 1998, and the country was once seen as one of the more democratic in Central Asia. However, the push to reinstate the death penalty has raised concerns over the erosion of civil liberties and legal protections.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
