President Japarov Directs Reinstatement Efforts
On October 1, 2025, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov issued a directive for the drafting of legislation aimed at reintroducing the death penalty for individuals convicted of heinous crimes, specifically targeting pedophiles, rapists, and murderers of women and children. The order was given to Murat Ukushev, head of the legal support department of the presidential administration. This move signals a significant shift in the country's criminal justice policy, driven by a commitment to 'maximum-strength accountability' for such offenses.
Catalyst for the Decision: A National Outcry
The President's initiative comes in direct response to a brutal crime that has sparked widespread national outrage across Kyrgyzstan. In late September 2025, a 17-year-old girl named Aisuluu was tragically murdered after being raped. Her body was discovered near the village of Zhel-Aryk, approximately 286 kilometers from where she went missing in Karakol. A suspect with a prior criminal record has since been detained in Bishkek. President Japarov has taken personal oversight of the matter, stating that 'Such transgressions must not be left without consequence.'
A Departure from Previous Abolition
The proposed reintroduction of capital punishment marks a stark departure from Kyrgyzstan's recent legal history and international commitments. The death penalty in Kyrgyzstan was formally abolished in June 2007 by then-President Kurmanbek Bakiyev, following a moratorium on executions that had been in place since December 1998. Furthermore, in December 2010, Kyrgyzstan solidified its stance against capital punishment by ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international treaty aimed at the abolition of the death penalty. The country's constitution was also amended to state that 'No one in the Kyrgyz Republic can be deprived of life.'
Legal Hurdles and International Scrutiny
Reinstating the death penalty in Kyrgyzstan would necessitate significant legal changes, including amending the country's Constitution and potentially holding a national referendum. This initiative is expected to draw considerable examination from global human rights organizations, as it runs counter to the worldwide trend towards the abolition of capital punishment and Kyrgyzstan's existing human rights commitments.
5 Comments
Loubianka
What about the innocent? The risk is too high.
Fuerza
While the public's anger over such horrific crimes is understandable, reintroducing the death penalty would severely undermine Kyrgyzstan's international human rights commitments. We need justice, but within legal and ethical boundaries.
Manolo Noriega
The President's desire for 'maximum-strength accountability' is clear, especially after such a tragic incident. However, amending the constitution and reversing years of abolition could have long-term negative consequences for the country's global standing.
Fuerza
The public outcry following Aisuluu's murder is heartbreaking and demands a strong response from the government. But rushing to reinstate the death penalty without careful consideration of its effectiveness and human rights implications could create more problems than it solves.
Manolo Noriega
Finally, justice for victims! These monsters deserve nothing less.