20th June 2024

Kyrgyzstan – Information for consideration by the Committee against Torture – 81st session, June 2024

End sexual violence Europe and Central Asia

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Equality Now, together with the partners, the Human Rights Movement Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan and Positive Dialogue, submitted the information on the List of Issues prior to Reporting for Kyrgyzstan for Consideration by the Committee Against Torture at its 81st Session with concerns about addressing sexual violence against women and girls, in particular against women and girls with disabilities, including those in psychiatric and psychoneurological institutions, social care homes, and other places of deprivation of liberty.

What’s included in the submission?

  • The legislation in Kyrgyzstan lacks a consent-based definition of rape contrary to international human rights standards.
  •  Women and girls in Kyrgyzstan’s psychiatric and psychoneurological institutions, social care homes and other residential facilities are at heightened risk of sexual violence, with significant barriers to reporting abuse due to institutional power imbalances and a lack of supportive procedures.
  • The National Preventive Mechanism’s reports reveal poor living conditions and inadequate documentation of abuse, which hampers accountability.
  • There is an urgent need for specialised training for staff, the establishment of confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms, and comprehensive guidelines to identify and address sexual violence, particularly for those with disabilities.

Who’s it for?

  • Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
  • Committee against Torture
  • Law and policymakers
  • Legal professionals
  • Government institutions

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Key recommendations

  • Reform sexual violence laws:
    Amend the Criminal Code to adopt a consent-based definition of rape, explicitly criminalise marital rape, and remove discriminatory evidentiary requirements that disadvantage survivors, especially those with disabilities.

  • Protect women and girls with disabilities:
    Implement strong protections against sexual violence for women and girls with disabilities, particularly those in institutions, by establishing confidential reporting mechanisms and ensuring access to justice.

  • Improve identification and support:
    Develop specialised procedures for identifying at-risk individuals, especially in psychiatric and social care institutions, and ensure staff receive training on recognising and responding to abuse.

  • Ensure accountability and oversight:
    Regularly inspect residential institutions through independent bodies, ensure documentation of abuse, and hold perpetrators accountable in line with international human rights obligations.

About

20 June 2024

12 pages

Languages

EN

Classification

Submissions
End sexual violence
Europe and Central Asia

More information

For more information, contact programs@equalitynow.org.

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