Kyrgyz President Japarov Orders Draft Death Penalty Bill for Child Rape, Murder

Kyrgyzstan's President Sadyr Japarov has ordered the drafting of legislation to reinstate the death penalty specifically for the rape of minors and rape followed by murder of women, responding to widespread public outrage over the brutal killing of a 17-year-old schoolgirl named Aisuluu Mukasheva. This marks a significant reversal from Kyrgyzstan's abolition of capital punishment in 2007 and comes amid growing concerns over gender-based violence, with Kyrgyzstan ranked the most dangerous Central Asian country for women. The suspect in the murder case, who has a history of violent crimes, has been detained, and the president has taken personal responsibility for overseeing legal reforms and the investigation. The proposed legislation aims to address crimes against children and women with tougher penalties, reflecting Japarov's assertion that such offenses must not go unpunished, while also coinciding with upcoming parliamentary elections where his loyal parties seek to maintain dominance. This move contrasts with neighboring Uzbekistan's approach, which has focused on raising the age of criminal responsibility and lengthening sentences for sexual offenses involving minors, rather than reintroducing capital punishment. The reinstatement of the death penalty would require constitutional changes, highlighting the gravity and controversy of this policy shift in a country with a complex democratic history.