Kyrgyzstan: Legal Amendments Aim to Strengthen Punishment for Sexual Violence against Survivors with Disabilities  

Kyrgyzstan’s Parliament passed a bill introducing harsher penalties for sexual violence committed against persons with disabilities. Signed into law by the President on February 19, 2025, the amendments represent a step forward in recognizing the aggravated societal harm inherent in such offenses.

Survivors and advocacy groups, including Equality Now and national partners like the Union of People with Disabilities Ravenstvo and Human Rights Movements Bir Duino, have consistently called for better access to justice for women and girls with disabilities who are survivors of sexual violence. Key amendments to the several Criminal Code laws reflect a growing recognition of the need for justice and protection. At the same time, we recognize that overly harsh penalties cannot necessarily increase access to justice unless other comprehensive measures are in place.

What has changed in the law? 

The new amendments introduce three major legal shifts:

• Recognition of disability as an aggravating circumstance for rape, sexual assault, and coercion, allowing for sentences ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment for rape and sexual assault.

• Life imprisonment is now permitted for offenders over 60 convicted of sexual violence against persons with disabilities. Previously, this age group was exempt from life sentences.

• There is no parole eligibility for those convicted of sexual violence crimes targeting people with disabilities.

The above amendments are noteworthy, as the international human rights framework, including the Istanbul Convention, provides that it should be an aggravating circumstance if “the offense was committed against a person made vulnerable by particular circumstances’’ (Art. 46.c).

“This is a significant step to combat sexual violence in the country. This change aims to increase accountability for such offenses and strengthen protecting the rights of the most vulnerable,” underlines Gulmira Kazakunova, Union of People with Disabilities Ravenstvo.

How prevalent is sexual violence in Kyrgyzstan?

While concrete data is limited, underreporting remains a significant issue. The report by Equality Now, Sexual Violence and Disability in Kyrgyzstan: Law, Policy, Practice, and Access to Justice, published in 2023, reveals that girls and women with disabilities are at increased risk of sexual violence. This is not only because of their vulnerability but also because of gaps in legal protections, social stigma, and inaccessible justice mechanisms making perpetrators less likely to be held accountable.

“The authorities’ recognition of the issue of sexual violence against persons with disabilities and their efforts to address it represent a significant step forward. This demonstrates a commitment to tackling these crimes effectively. However, it is essential for authorities to also address systemic challenges such as underreporting, difficulty identifying individuals at risk, and high attrition rates in cases of sexual violence,”  explains Dariana Gryaznova, Equality Now Eurasia Legal Advisor.

What can be done to address these issues?

Equality Now is committed to improving access to justice and ensuring survivor-centered legal reform across Central Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, our focus has been on:

• Conducting legal and policy analysis through reports and submissions;

• Partnering with national civil society organizations like Ravenstvo and Bir Duino to advocate for legal change and improvement of the implementation of laws;
• Partnering with stakeholders and experts to put in place manuals and guidelines for criminal justice actors to increase access to justice for sexual violence, specifically focusing on survivors with disabilities.

“The recognition of disability as an aggravating circumstance and the inclusion of this category in the norms governing the qualification of offenses create legal grounds for a stricter assessment of the offense and provide additional protection for survivors,” says Lyra Asylbek, Bir Duino.

Moving forward

This legal development in Kyrgyzstan is more than just an amendments to the law—it signals the gravity of violations and calls to action. But change does not end with punitive measures. Survivors still need access to timely investigations, non-discriminatory legal processes, multisectoral support services, shelter, health care, and psychosocial aid.

At Equality Now, we believe that every survivor deserves justice, safety, and dignity — without exception. We will continue working with the government, civil society partners, and justice professionals in Kyrgyzstan and across the Eurasia region to ensure that laws are not only passed but fully implemented, protecting the most vulnerable and holding perpetrators accountable.