Kyrgyzstan Eyes Return of Death Penalty Amid Public Outrage

In a dramatic response to a wave of violent crimes against women and minors, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has proposed the reinstatement of the death penalty. The initiative, announced on October 1, follows intense public outcry, particularly over the brutal murder of a teenage girl, and signals a potential path towards significant constitutional amendments.

The president’s press secretary, Askat Alagozov, confirmed that the high-profile murder case of 17-year-old Aisuluu Mukasheva is under Japarov’s personal supervision. He stated that the president has ordered the drafting of legislation to introduce capital punishment for the rape and murder of women and children, emphasizing that such heinous crimes must not go unpunished. Experts suggest the proposal could be put to a national referendum, held concurrently with the parliamentary elections scheduled for November 30.

The public’s demand for severe justice, amplified across social media, has largely overshadowed the upcoming election campaign. According to political analyst Igor Shestakov, Director of the “Oi Ordo” expert center, the public is demanding the harshest measures and opposes any show of leniency from the state. “Despite being a regional leader in providing constitutional rights for women in politics, Kyrgyzstan faces a high level of violence against them,” Shestakov noted. “In this situation, the president did what the public expected of him.”

This move comes as Japarov solidifies his political power. He recently dismissed claims that he orchestrated the parliament’s self-dissolution to clear the way for his re-election. “I am confident that if I run in the next election, I will win with 90% support, because I feel the people’s backing has grown even stronger,” Japarov declared, effectively ending speculation about a potential presidential bid by his powerful ally, security chief Kamchibek Tashiev, in 2027.

The upcoming elections will be held under a new law that reshapes the political landscape, creating a “president-centric” system. The law establishes 30 multi-mandate districts, with each electing three deputies, one of whom must be a woman, ensuring a 30% female quota in the new parliament. This model is expected to produce a legislature loyal to Japarov’s reform agenda while sidelining traditional political parties, whose influence is now significantly diminished.

However, the election faces considerable challenges, most notably voter apathy. Past local elections saw alarmingly low turnout, with some observers remarking that it seemed only candidates’ close circles were voting. With candidates having just two months to register and run a compelling campaign, mobilizing an electorate that often feels disconnected from parliamentary politics will be a formidable task. Voting is set for November 30, with final results to be announced by December 14.

Analysts believe the risk of post-election unrest is low. Stanislav Pritchin of the Russian Academy of Sciences’ IMEMO noted that the opposition is currently fragmented, and the harsh winter weather typically dampens protest activity. The larger question, he argues, is how the new, untested electoral mechanisms will function in practice. Kyrgyzstan has a history of failed electoral innovations, and whether this latest experiment will deliver a more transparent and legitimate parliament remains to be seen.