Kyrgyzstan may reinstate the death penalty: draft law submitted for public discussion

Tengrinews.kz – The Administration of the President of Kyrgyzstan has submitted for public discussion a draft law to amend the Constitution, proposing the possibility of reintroducing the death penalty. The document would allow capital punishment for the rape of children and murders committed in connection with rape, according to Kaktus Media.

Under the proposal, Part 1 of Article 25 of the Constitution would be rewritten. It would still guarantee every person’s inalienable right to life, but would add a clause permitting the death penalty “only for the rape of children and murder involving rape.”

Earlier, President Sadyr Japarov instructed the head of the Legal Affairs Department of the Presidential Administration to draft legislation imposing the harshest penalties for crimes against children, girls, and women.

The issue of reinstating the death penalty in Kyrgyzstan may be put to a national referendum, the president said in an interview.

If approved by the public, amendments would be made to the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Penal Codes.

The initiative was prompted by the murder of 17-year-old Aisuluu M., which sparked widespread public outrage.

Opinions among experts and social media users are deeply divided. President Japarov stressed that the matter can only be resolved through a nationwide vote, while human rights activists argue that the death penalty does not protect against crime and highlight the systemic weaknesses in protecting women and children.