Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
March 24, 2026 Human rights
The rape and murder of a 17-year-old schoolgirl in Kyrgyzstan in September 2025 sparked a wave of public outrage. There were calls in the country to reinstate the death penalty. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for a victim-centered approach to combating violence. He noted that justice must be based on prevention, compassion, and the rule of law, not retribution.
By early December, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov officially submitted the amendment reinstating the death penalty to the Constitutional Court for a constitutional review. On December 10, 2025, the court ruled that the proposal violated international treaty obligations enshrined in Kyrgyzstan's constitution and declared the amendment unconstitutional.
Compliance with human rights obligations
The UN Human Rights Office's Regional Office for Central Asia actively participated in the discussion. Its head, Matilda Bogner, noted that the Office's experts reminded both the executive and judicial authorities of international standards and Kyrgyzstan's corresponding obligations.
Kyrgyzstan has abolished the death penalty since 1998. Ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 2010 definitively enshrined its abolition in law. The Covenant and the Protocol legally obligate states to take all necessary measures to prevent the reinstatement of capital punishment.
“It is positive that, despite an initiative that seemed to enjoy broad public support but fell short of international obligations, a rule-of-law approach ultimately prevailed in Kyrgyzstan,” Bogner said.
Justice, not retribution
The tragedy, which occurred in 2025, sparked a national debate about what constitutes justice for the victims. Bogner acknowledged that emotions inevitably run high in such cases.
"This is an extremely sensitive issue, especially when it comes to such horrific crimes," she said.
"A predictable legal process is a more effective deterrent to serious crime than introducing the death penalty into a system that lacks predictability," Bogner added.
Volker Türk also stressed that the focus should be on prevention.
"The crimes cited by the authorities as grounds for reinstating the death penalty are undoubtedly heinous, and due process must be ensured for them. However, there is no evidence that the death penalty plays a significant role in preventing serious crimes," he noted.
Prevention of violence
An effective legal system not only responds to violence but also helps prevent it. Bogner emphasized that protecting women from gender-based violence requires prompt and appropriate action by both the police and the courts, including the early identification of warning signs.
Following the Constitutional Court's decision, the Kyrgyz authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed their commitment to the rule of law. As part of ongoing efforts to prevent violence, the UN Human Rights Office regional office is supporting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in developing a new risk assessment system aimed at strengthening timely responses to cases of gender-based violence. According to Bogner, this system will allow authorities to monitor the situation and intervene before violence occurs.
As Türk emphasized, the Office continues to cooperate with Kyrgyzstan in creating a victim-centered justice system that ensures accountability and, above all, prevents violence against women and girls.
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