Kyrgyzstan draft law: Addressing sexual violence requires comprehensive measures beyond harsher penalties

In our joint statement with Bir Duino, Equality Now responds to the Kyrgyzstan draft law proposing life imprisonment as the only penalty for murder committed in conjunction with rape, and for rape committed against a child under 14 or a person with a disability.  On 19 February 2026, a draft law was published in Kyrgyzstan and the public discussion started. Equality Now and our partners in Kyrgyzstan Bir Duino analysed the draft law and introduced our conclusions  and arguments in the joint statement. 

While we welcome the authorities’ recognition of the seriousness of sexual violence, we underline a central point: harsher punishment alone will not reduce sexual violence or ensure effective protection for survivors, especially when many crimes remain unreported due to fear, stigma, lack of safe reporting pathways, and gaps in survivor support. 

Kyrgyzstan needs a comprehensive, survivor-centred approach, including prevention, early identification and timely response; safe, accessible reporting mechanisms; and effective investigations and prosecutions. This must be backed by legal reform in line with international standards, including a consent-based definition of rape, as well as specialised training and methodological guidance for justice actors and real access to comprehensive assistance for survivors, including children and women with disabilities.

We analysed the access to justice for the women and girls with disabilities, survivors of sexual violence  in three countries of Central Asia in our recent report, Seeking justice: Sexual violence against women with disabilities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Equality Now and Bir Duino stand ready to support the government and relevant institutions with expertise, technical input, and practical cooperation to develop reforms that strengthen protection from violence and ensure meaningful access to justice.