Kirghizistan
On December 11, 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan issued an official statement regarding the Constitutional Court's decision on the death penalty.
The ministry noted that the recent rise in cases of the murder of children and women under aggravating circumstances has deeply shocked the entire country.
"Deeply concerned about the growing number of violent crimes against women and children, the Head of State has taken personal control of the case involving the murder of a 17-year-old girl from Karakol and instructed the relevant government bodies to propose legislative amendments allowing for the application of the death penalty for the rape of minors and murder committed in connection with rape.
From October 13 to 28, 2025, the draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Amendments to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic" and the draft Law of the Kyrgyz Republic "On Repealing the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic 'On the Accession of the Kyrgyz Republic to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty, adopted by UN General Assembly Resolution 44/128 of December 15, 1989' dated March 16, 2010 No. 52" underwent public discussions.
However, the Constitutional Court concluded that the proposed amendments were incompatible with the Constitution and could not be submitted to a referendum.
Kyrgyzstan is a State party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to its Second Optional Protocol, aiming at the abolition of the death penalty. The Second Optional Protocol reflects a commitment by States parties to the permanent abolition of capital punishment and does not permit reintroduction of the death penalty once the obligation has been undertaken. The Constitutional Court referred to these treaty commitments as part of the legal framework relevant to its assessment.
