Ombudsman fights extensive use of detention in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, courts have a tendency to use pre-trial detention as a restrictive measure, even though there are numerous alternatives far less violating to the person subjected to them. Unfortunately, the courts tend to overlook these alternatives.

That is why the Kyrgyz Ombudsman, with the support of the Danish Institute for Human Rights, has developed a series of special reports documenting restrictive measures among other things. According to the Ombudsman people have their human rights violated while awaiting trial.

“Today in Kyrgyzstan, hundreds of ordinary citizens accused of crimes are held in pre-trial detention centres for weeks, months or even years waiting for the decision of the courts. Many have lost their health and have become disabled,” the Ombudsman, Mr. Baktybek Amanbaev, said.

Parliament to act on report

Following a public hearing, the Ombudsman presented his report to the parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic. This has led the Human Rights, Constitutional Legislation and State Structure Committee of the Parliament to take action.

The committee has vowed to establish an independent investigation committee to examine the cases of extensive use of detention as a restrictive measure.

The news is well received by the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

“We are happy that the parliament takes this problem serious. We are awaiting the results of the findings and we are willing to support both the committee and the Ombudsman in their future work on this important issue,” Project Manager Ms. Burmaa Nyamaa of the Danish Institute for Human Rights said.

Longstanding cooperation

The Danish Institute for Human Rights has been working in the Central Asian country since the early 2000s. The institute played a key part in the establishment of a human rights dialogue platform between the Kyrgyz state and the civil society. The Human Rights Advisory Board, as it is known, is still active today, and has now managed to forge a strong cooperation with key human rights actors such as the Ombudsman and Human Rights, Constitutional Legislation and State Structure Committee of the Parliament.

Lately, the Human Rights Advisory Board has, in close cooperation with the Danish institute, provided support in conducting a public hearing on the Ombudsman’s special report on rights of the disabled persons.