Kyrgyzstan enacted a new media law on 7 August that requires all traditional and online media outlets to register with the Cabinet of Ministers in order to operate. Journalists and human rights experts say the bill will allow the government to effectively control what media outlets publish, as the law does not allow for oversight or judicial review of the decisions to grant or revoke registration. A version of the media law was first introduced in 2022 but was withdrawn after public backlash. The presidential administration then sought the advice of the Venice Commission, convened a working group with journalists and media lawyers, and revised the law several times with the stated goal of finding a ‘compromise’ in line with international legal standards. However, the final version introduced to parliament in June removed nearly all these changes, suggesting the engagement with civil society was not in earnest.

Sources: Fergana, The Diplomat, European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission)

A new law remade Kyrgyzstan’s electoral system before next year’s parliamentary elections. The existing parallel voting system will be replaced with a single non-transferable vote system based on 30 constituencies with three representatives each. At least one of every three representatives from each constituency must be a woman, meaning the country will reach its 30 per cent gender quota for the first time. The law also disadvantages smaller political parties, as the non-refundable candidate registration fee has been raised to KGS 9 million (about USD 103,000) for party-affiliated candidates, but will remain KGS 100,000(about USD 1,115) for independent candidates. Japarov has frequently backed loyal businessmen as independent candidates. International observers have also criticized the process of drawing electoral districts, which was done without the participation of or consideration for the country’s ethnic minorities and will likely further marginalize them from political processes.

Sources: Times of Central Asia, Office of the President, Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe

President Sadyr Japarov signed a law on 29 May requiring all trials to be recorded on video, for the recordings to be made available to all parties involved in the proceedings. The failure to make recordings available will also be grounds for appeal. The law will also allow for parties to a case to petition the court for a trial to be livestreamed online or broadcast on radio or television. Defence attorneys and rights advocates see the law, should it be fully and properly implemented, to be a step forward for justice in a country where judicial proceedings are frequently conducted behind closed doors and over the objections of the accused.  

Sources: EurasiaNet, Kaktus Media, President of Kyrgyzstan

President Sadyr Japarov signed a law allowing the government to fast-track legislation and halving the period for public discussion from 30 to 15 days. Legislation deemed relevant to national security, state secrets, and the rulings of the Constitutional Court will be excepted from any public consultation whatsoever. Additionally, the president and head of the Cabinet of Ministers will have discretion to declare bills “urgent” and expedite the legislative process. Opposition political parties and civil society groups condemned the legislation as undermining public oversight and participation in legislative processes. The law is part of a larger pattern under President Japarov of the weakening of countervailing institutions and centralization of power in the presidency.

Sources: Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, President of Kyrgyzstan