Kyrgyzstan mulls restoring death penalty for child rape and murder
Kyrgyzstan’s government is considering reinstating the death penalty for child rape and murder, marking a major reversal of its human rights commitments
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (MNTV) — Kyrgyzstan’s government is considering reinstating the death penalty for child rape and murder, marking a major reversal of its human rights commitments.
President Sadyr Japarov’s administration has submitted a draft law to repeal Kyrgyzstan’s 2010 accession to the UN protocol that bans capital punishment. The proposed legislation seeks to withdraw from the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which obliges signatories to abolish the death penalty.
Officials said the move aims to “ensure the safety and protection of the lives and health of children and women from criminal attacks.” Under the draft, capital punishment would apply to cases involving the rape of children or murder coupled with rape.
Rising cases of violent crimes against women and minors have caused “deep concern” across society, the administration said, adding that “anyone who commits violence against children and women should be excluded from society.”
If approved, the bill would require a constitutional referendum to take effect. The proposal is open for public feedback on the government’s website until October 28.
President Japarov has previously called for reinstating the death penalty following the rape and murder of 17-year-old Aisuluu Mukasheva, saying it could “significantly reduce, if not completely stop,” such crimes.
However, rights organizations, including the National Alliance for the Protection of Women’s and Children’s Rights and the UN Human Rights Office in Central Asia, have criticized the plan. They warn it would not solve the root causes of violence and could result in wrongful convictions due to weaknesses in Kyrgyzstan’s judicial system.
Kyrgyzstan imposed a moratorium on executions in 1998, abolished the death penalty in 2007, and joined the UN protocol banning it in 2010. Its current Constitution explicitly prohibits capital punishment.
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