A recent wave of brutal murders targeting women and children has sparked nationwide outrage in Kyrgyzstan.
Alarmed by the rise in violent crimes, the Head of State took personal control of the investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old girl from Karakol and instructed government bodies to draft legislative amendments that would allow the death penalty for the rape of minors and murders committed in connection with rape.
Between October 13 and 28, 2025, two draft laws underwent public consultation:
First, the Draft Law “On Amendments to the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic”, and
And two, the Draft Law “On Repealing the Law on Accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights,” which commits the country to abolishing the death penalty.
During the public discussions, a majority of participants expressed opposition to reinstating capital punishment.
On December 2, 2025, President Sadyr Zhaparov submitted the draft constitutional amendment to the Constitutional Court of the Kyrgyz Republic for an official legal opinion, according to Kyrgyz news reports.
On December 10, 2025, the Constitutional Court — acting as an independent body — ruled that restoring the death penalty through constitutional amendments is incompatible with the Constitution and therefore impermissible and impossible.
As a result, the proposed amendment cannot be put to a national referendum. All procedures aimed at implementing the initiative must cease once the Court’s conclusion enters into force.
The Kyrgyz Republic, as a state governed by the rule of law, confirmed that it will fully abide by the Court’s decision and remain committed to its international human rights obligations.
At the same time, the government will continue working on strengthening national legislation and tightening penalties for violent crimes, ensuring greater protection for women and children while staying within constitutional limits.
