Kyrgyzstan Considers Reinstating Death Penalty Amid Nationwide Outrage Over Brutal Child Murder

Kyrgyzstan’s constitutional court began reviewing a draft law on Wednesday. The law would restore the death penalty in the Central Asian nation. President Sadyr Japarov supports the proposal. The plan has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and human rights groups.

The draft law allows capital punishment for “particularly serious sexual crimes against children” and murders committed with rape. If the court rules it constitutional, parliament would hold a referendum to amend Article 25 of the constitution. No date has been set for the court’s decision.

Japarov proposed the measure after a 17-year-old girl was raped and murdered in September. The crime caused nationwide outrage. Kyrgyzstan last executed someone in 1998. The country abolished the death penalty officially in 2007.

Once seen as one of the most democratic former Soviet republics, Kyrgyzstan has faced criticism under Japarov since 2021. Rights groups warn that restoring executions would undermine the country’s human rights record.

UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk said reinstating executions would be a “serious violation of international law.” Local rights organizations say the focus should be on improving criminal investigations and police training. They argue this protects citizens more effectively than capital punishment.

The debate shows the tension between public demand for harsh punishment and international human rights standards. Many citizens support stricter penalties. Experts warn that bringing back the death penalty could harm Kyrgyzstan’s democratic image.

As the court examines the law, the decision could shape the country’s legal and human rights framework for years. The outcome is being watched closely, both inside Kyrgyzstan and internationally. The nation now faces a choice between justice, public anger and global norms.