Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 20, 2025 International law
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk today called on the Kyrgyz authorities to immediately cease efforts to reinstate the death penalty, warning that such a regressive step would constitute a serious violation of international law.
Kyrgyzstan abolished the death penalty in 1998 and then legally banned it permanently in 2010 after ratifying Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)This treaty obliges states parties to take all necessary measures to abolish the death penalty.
However, following the rape and murder of a girl in late September, Kyrgyz authorities proposed amending the Constitution to allow for the death penalty for the rape of a child, as well as for the rape and murder of a child or adult. They also propose withdrawing from the Protocol. These proposals are expected to be put to a referendum in the coming weeks and, if approved, submitted to the country's parliament.
"The rights enshrined in the Covenant and the Second Optional Protocol, once granted, belong to individuals living within the territory of a State party and cannot be taken away, regardless of the justification offered," the High Commissioner emphasized. He added that no justice system is flawless, and if the death penalty is reintroduced, it will eventually lead to the deaths of innocent people at the hands of the state.
The UN Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance ICCPR, made it clear that, since the Covenant and the Second Optional Protocol contain no provisions for denunciation, the abolition of the death penalty is legally irreversible for states that have accepted these treaties. This also means that states are prohibited from reintroducing it. Furthermore, a state that has ratified the Protocol without reservations is not permitted to apply the death penalty even for the most serious crimes.
"For many years, Kyrgyzstan has been part of a growing—and very encouraging—global consensus on the universal abolition of the death penalty. Current legislative initiatives run counter to the spirit of the country's commitments, including its recent support for the Human Rights Council resolution calling on states to ratify the Second Optional Protocol," Türk noted.
Around 170 countries have abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium on its use in law or practice.
"The crimes cited by the authorities as grounds for reinstating the death penalty are undoubtedly horrific, and they must be properly punished. However, there is no evidence that the death penalty plays a significant role in deterring serious crime," Türk stated.
He called on the Kyrgyz authorities to abandon proposals to reinstate the death penalty and instead focus their efforts on ensuring effective protection of the law and adequate access to justice and reparations. "The response must be a victim-centered and adequately resourced approach to combating violence, including sexual violence," the High Commissioner stated.
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