On September 12–13, Bir Duino–Kyrgyzstan, together with the Sova Information and Analysis Center, held a training seminar in Bishkek on the protection of freedom of expression in the context of the application of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and anti-extremist legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic (the KR).

The seminar was attended by lawyers, human rights defenders, international experts, representatives of the Ombudsman's Institute, and government agencies. Experts and participants discussed the need to align national approaches with international human rights standards and stressed that the fight against extremism “should not forget the fundamental, inviolable human rights enshrined in ratified international instruments, the Constitution, and legislation.”

Noting that the National Center for the Prevention of Torture (the National Prevention Mechanism created in line with OP-CAT) of the Kyrgyz Republic is currently under threat of liquidation, but that there is still an opportunity to advocate and lobby for its status, emphasizing that lawyers in this sensitive area are at risk, with arrests of lawyers recorded, their access to victims restricted, and there is also no access to the database of extremist materials at the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The seminar participants developed RECOMMENDATIONS for the promotion and protection of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights:

⁠1. The concept of “extremism” in Kyrgyzstan’s legislation is vaguely defined. At the same time, international documents (e.g., OSCE documents) use only the concept of “violent extremism.” It is necessary to clarify the definition in the Kyrgyz Republic's law “On Countering Extremist Activity” and harmonize it with the OSCE approach. 

⁠⁠2. Currently, the Kyrgyz Republic lacks an institution for independent linguistic and comprehensive expertise, which is necessary to ensure the principles of adversarial proceedings and equality of arms in criminal proceedings. 

3. ⁠⁠There is no concept or understanding of existing standards for independent linguistic and comprehensive expertise in the Kyrgyz Republic in the Kyrgyz language and other local languages. 

4. Article 11 of the Law “On Forensic Activities” of the Kyrgyz Republic dated 08.08.2025 (amendments will come into force on 01.07.2026) states that "... forensic activities are carried out by state and non-state forensic organizations, as well as non-state experts."

5. It is necessary to develop training programs for employees of the judicial system, the prosecutor's office, and the law enforcement agencies on the importance of non-governmental independent philological, psychological-linguistic, religious, historical, and other types of expertise, taking into account existing international practices.

6. The seminar participants also proposed developing a scientifically sound methodology for expert examinations by an expert group that could be formed under the auspices of the Ombudsperson’s Institute and with the support of international organizations.

7. Form an expert group to develop suggestions on the creation of a Center for Independent Linguistic and Comprehensive Expert Examinations.

8. Develop an advocacy strategy to raise public awareness of the importance of independent expertise and adversarial court proceedings through special training for journalists and media workers.

9. Develop training approaches and programs using best international practices and local experience with the aim of conducting regular training for experts, specialists, and lawyers.

10. Conduct an analysis of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Forensic Activities and the Licensing and Permitting System in the Kyrgyz Republic, as well as Regulations on Licensing Certain Types of Activities.

11. Conduct an analysis of the current status of alternative expert opinions. 

12. Publish scientifically based departmental methodologies for conducting expert examinations, taking into account best practices within the framework of scientific knowledge exchange.

13. Create a discussion platform for promoting the Center for Independent Linguistic and Comprehensive Expert Examinations.

14. Conduct training sessions and special seminars (civic education component) for experts and specialists on methodology of forensic expertise, primarily linguistic expertise. 

15. To increase the significance of independent expertise, it is necessary to encourage the practice of involving independent experts and specialists in order to strengthen the evidence base in courts, ensure the adversarial nature of the process, and protect human rights. It is important to develop the habit among courts of taking into account alternative expertise and conclusions of independent specialists in judicial proceedings in the Kyrgyz Republic.

16. Find resources to implement these initiatives through fundraising by Bir Duino and the Sova Center.

17. Develop a special glossary for experts, specialists, and lawyers with constantly updated terms on this topic in Kyrgyz and Russian. Translate this glossary into other local languages.

18. Develop proposals for a legislative initiative to make appropriate amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Participants and experts of the training seminar on anti-extremism organized by the Sova Information Center and Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, September 12-13, 2025.

For all questions, please contact Murat Karypov, Executive Director of Bir Duino Kyrgyzstan, by email: m.karypov@gmail.co

m and by phone: +996555422222.

https://www.un.org/ru/documents/decl_conv/conventions/pactpol.shtml 

https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/230000631/edition/1644/ru 

https://cbd.minjust.gov.kg/230000631/edition/1644/ru