Human Rights Committee
Information received from Kyrgyzstan on follow-up to the concluding observations on its third periodic report *
[Date received: 3 November 2025]
Information from Kyrgyzstan regarding paragraph 54 of the concluding observations on the third periodic report of Kyrgyzstan on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR/C/KGZ/CO/3)
1.In accordance with rule 75 (1) of the Committee’s rules of procedure and paragraph 54 of the concluding observations, Kyrgyzstan hereby submits this information on the implementation of the recommendations contained in paragraphs 20 (counter-terrorism measures), 44 (freedom of conscience and religious belief) and 46 (freedom of expression).
Follow-up information relating to paragraph 20 of the concluding observations
(a)
2.To improve the regulatory framework in the field of terrorism and extremism, the following legislative acts were adopted:
Counter-Terrorism Act of 4 July 2022
Act on Combating Extremist Activity of 24 February 2023
3.Furthermore, taking into account international human rights standards, the State Programme to Combat Extremism and Terrorism for the period 2023–2027 was developed and approved by Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 141 of 15 March 2023.
4.It should also be noted that the Criminal Code provides for legal mechanisms that distinguish between different forms of participation in a crime. For instance, chapter 7 establishes the concept of complicity and makes a specific distinction between perpetrators, organizers, instigators and accessories, making it possible to classify individuals’ actions based on their role and degree of involvement in unlawful activities.
5.In the context of the fight against terrorism, the efforts of Kyrgyzstan have been positively received by the international community. The country’s counter-terrorism efforts have been reviewed on numerous occasions during visits by missions of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1373 (2001) concerning counter-terrorism, which have welcomed the measures taken, including those related to the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and the Committee’s recommendations.
(b)
6.In accordance with the Constitution, human rights and freedoms are recognized as a supreme value, and it is the duty of the State to respect and protect them. Article 23 of the Constitution provides that restrictions on rights and freedoms may be introduced only on the basis of law, for strictly defined purposes, such as the protection of national security, public order, public health and morals and the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. At the same time, any restrictions introduced must be commensurate with these objectives.
7.In accordance with Kyrgyz legislation, the judicial system safeguards human rights and freedoms through the courts, ensuring the right to a fair trial and effective legal remedies.
8.It should also be noted that the Office of the Procurator General plays an important role in ensuring legality and monitoring respect for human rights. The Office is a State body responsible for upholding the rule of law, ensuring the uniformity and strengthening of legality and safeguarding the legally protected interests of the individual, society and the State. It constitutes a unified, centralized system that is entrusted with oversight to ensure that laws and regulations are correctly and consistently applied by State authorities.
9.Consequently, any measures involving the restriction of human rights on grounds of national security are implemented in accordance with the requirements of legality, necessity and proportionality, and with appropriate judicial and institutional safeguards in place, including oversight by the procurator’s office.
(c)
10.Guided by the Constitution, the principles of international law and its obligations under international human rights treaties, Kyrgyzstan consistently implements measures to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, including the right to return to the country, to receive proper rehabilitation and to be fully integrated into society.
11.From 2021 to 2025, as part of the Aikol and Meerim humanitarian missions, Kyrgyzstan took comprehensive measures to repatriate its citizens from areas of armed conflict in Syria and Iraq. The competent State authorities provided the necessary legal and logistical support, including the determination of citizenship and the issuance of travel documents.
12.At the same time, for the rehabilitation and reintegration in Kyrgyzstan of Kyrgyz citizens repatriated from areas of armed conflict, the Cabinet of Ministers approved, by Order No. 183-r of 18 March 2025, an action plan for the period 2025–2030 covering key areas of social adaptation. Priorities include medical and psychological support, access to education, vocational training, support for vulnerable groups and measures to prevent radicalization.
13.To ensure the successful integration of repatriated children into the educational environment, special guidelines have been developed, and tutoring programmes and vocational courses are being implemented to provide a comprehensive approach to their education and adaptation. In addition, training sessions are held to develop psychological and social skills, with the aim of providing comprehensive support and ensuring the children’s successful social adaptation.
14.Kyrgyzstan is therefore making every effort to ensure the support, rehabilitation, social reintegration and family reunification of returnees, while upholding international human rights standards and fulfilling its obligations to the international community.
Follow-up information relating to paragraph 44 of the concluding observations
(a)
15.In order to provide guarantees for the exercise of freedom of religion in accordance with the Constitution, international treaties and the universally recognized principles and rules of international law, on 21 January 2025, a new Freedom of Religion and Religious Organizations Act was adopted, which sets out the procedure for the registration of religious organizations, including the possibility of challenging decisions to refuse registration, in accordance with the legislation on administrative procedures.
(b)
16.Kyrgyzstan, acting in accordance with the principles of equality and non-discrimination and its international human rights obligations, is taking measures to ensure that there is no discrimination on religious grounds in matters related to burial and the management of burial sites.
17.To prevent discrimination on religious grounds in the allocation of burial plots, the Cabinet of Ministers approved, by Decision No. 67 of 14 February 2025, the Instructions on the Procedure for the Burial of Deceased Citizens and the Erection of Funerary Structures, which regulate the procedure for burials in municipal cemeteries.
18.The Instructions provide for the classification of cemeteries on the basis of their purpose:
Non-denominational cemeteries, where the deceased may be buried regardless of their religious affiliation
Denominational cemeteries intended for the burial of the deceased of the same faith, with due regard for religious and ethnic traditions
Follow-up information relating to paragraph 46 of the concluding observations
(a)
19.The Constitution and national legislation guarantee everyone the right to freedom of thought, speech and expression, and the right to freely seek, receive, hold, use and disseminate information orally, in writing or by other lawful means. The exercise of these rights is also governed by a number of laws and regulations, including the Right of Access to Information Act and the Media Act.
20.Under the legal system of Kyrgyzstan, all citizens are equal before the law and the courts. All persons have guaranteed judicial protection of the rights and freedoms provided for in the Constitution, other laws, international treaties to which Kyrgyzstan is a party and the generally recognized principles and rules of international law.
21.To ensure in practice that criminal prosecution is not used to suppress critical reporting on matters of public interest, the regional internal affairs authorities of Kyrgyzstan conduct training sessions for investigative units. In addition, investigative authorities are required, upon receiving complaints of this nature, to refer the case files for linguistic analysis in order to ensure an objective and legally sound assessment of the content of the statements and to prevent the unjustified initiation of criminal proceedings.
(b)
22.In accordance with the Constitution, everyone has the right to liberty and security of person, respect for privacy and protection of his or her honour and dignity. Any restrictions affecting a person’s physical or mental integrity are permissible only if based on the law and ordered by a court as punishment for a crime committed.
23.In accordance with the Code of Criminal Procedure, the objectives of criminal proceedings include the protection of individuals against unlawful and unfounded accusations, convictions and restrictions on their rights and freedoms; everyone is guaranteed judicial protection of his or her rights and freedoms at all stages of criminal proceedings.
24.In addition, to prevent undue pressure being exerted on members of the media and civil society, compulsory professional training sessions are held for officers of the investigative units and field services of the internal affairs law enforcement authorities of Kyrgyzstan. During these sessions, staff are informed of the need to carefully review all incoming complaints and materials concerning bloggers and journalists. The importance of taking all measures provided for by law to protect their rights and freedoms when such complaints are received is emphasized, including those from human rights defenders.
25.In addition, particular attention is paid to ensuring effective legal remedies. Victims are entitled to apply to the courts, the procuratorial authorities and the Ombudsman and to receive qualified legal assistance, including State-funded assistance in cases provided for by law.
(c)
26.The Act on Protection from Unreliable (False) Information and the procedure for challenging the actions of the owner of a website or webpage, the removal of inaccurate (false) information and the suspension of a website or webpage in connection with the dissemination of inaccurate (false) information on the Internet, approved by Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 204 of 8 April 2022, form the legal basis for prohibiting the dissemination of inaccurate information on the Internet and defining the obligations of website owners and users regarding content management, taking into account citizens’ rights to honour, dignity and reputation.
27.The foregoing Act and procedure set out a clear process for responding promptly to complaints regarding inaccurate information: the website owner is required to remove such information within 24 hours; in the event of a refusal or a failure to meet the deadline, the affected individual may appeal to the competent authority, which will review the complaint within one business day and decide whether to remove the information or to suspend the website’s operations for up to two months.
28.Despite the potential restrictions on the rights of website owners, these measures meet the requirement of proportionality and do not exceed permissible limits, as the protection of human dignity and honour is recognized as an absolute and overriding value (Constitution, art. 29 (1)).
29.The website owner is regarded as a party obligated to take prompt action to restore violated personal rights, which is consistent with the State’s constitutional duty to ensure the protection of its citizens.
30.With regard to judicial review, the procedure provides for a pretrial administrative appeal against the actions of the competent authority, including decisions to remove information and block websites; if the parties are dissatisfied with the administrative decision, they may appeal to the courts. The law therefore ensures equal opportunities for legal protection and the right to a fair hearing for both individuals whose rights have been violated and website owners.
31.In practice, this makes it possible to:
Promptly and effectively implement measures to protect citizens from misinformation, including procedures for removing content and blocking websites
Provide legal safeguards for website owners and users, enabling them to challenge decisions made by the competent authorities in court
Establish a balanced regulatory framework that strikes a balance between the protection of citizens’ rights and the safeguarding of freedom of speech and information
Build trust in the legal system through constitutional legitimacy
32.The current legal provisions are designed to strike a balance between the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution and the need to prevent the dissemination of knowingly false information that could harm the public interest, national security or inter-ethnic harmony.
(d)
33.National media legislation is based on the Constitution and is designed to ensure freedom of speech and media independence and pluralism. International standards and recommendations from relevant organizations are taken into account when drafting and revising the relevant legislation.
34.To date, Kyrgyzstan has adopted legislative measures to safeguard these freedoms, including the new Media Act, which broadens the legal framework for the operation of traditional and online media, establishes the rights of journalists and provides for measures to protect them.
35.Previously, the legal framework governing the media in Kyrgyzstan was based on the Media Act of 1992. It should be noted that this instrument was adopted at a time when the independent State was taking shape and played a significant role in the early stages of the development of the national media landscape.
36.Given the rapid development of digital technologies, the globalization of information processes and the widespread use of the Internet and social media, the previous Act no longer reflected contemporary realities or met societal needs. Consequently, a new Media Act was adopted on 6 August 2025, marking an important step forward in the development of national media legislation.
37.Existing and proposed regulations do not impose unjustified restrictions on freedom of expression and comply with international standards, striking a balance between freedom of speech and responsibility for its exercise.
38.At the same time, Kyrgyzstan is entitled, in accordance with the principle of State sovereignty, to formulate its own information policy, taking into account national interests and the need to ensure information security.