The United Nations human rights chief, Volker Türk, issued a stark warning on Monday against Kyrgyzstan's plans to reinstate the death penalty. According to Türk, this move would not only go against the country's international obligations but also fail to address the root causes of serious crimes effectively.

In a strong statement, Türk criticized the proposal to reintroduce capital punishment in response to violent crimes such as the rape and murder of a child that occurred in September 2025. He urged Kyrgyzstan to abolish such plans and instead focus on strengthening the judicial system to provide better protection and justice. He emphasized the need for a resourceful, victim-centered approach to combat violence, including sexual violence.

The push to bring back the death penalty has led to a proposal for Kyrgyzstan to withdraw from the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR-OP2), which mandates the abolition of the death penalty. The proposed changes, which include a constitutional amendment to implement capital punishment for specific severe crimes, will be subject to a national referendum. If passed, the amendment will proceed to the Parliament for further approval.

Kyrgyzstan had formally abolished the death penalty in 2007 and ratified the ICCPR-OP2 in 2010, committing itself to the permanent abolition of capital punishment. Article 1 of the ICCPR-OP2 explicitly requires states to take necessary measures to end the death penalty within their jurisdictions, making its reintroduction legally irrevocable.

The re-adoption of the death penalty is seen by many, including Türk, as a step backward in human rights. In a recent statement, he pointed out the ineffectiveness of the death penalty in deterring crime, its potential to brutalize society, and the irreversible consequences of judicial errors.

The European Union and the Council of Europe have also voiced their opposition to the death penalty, highlighting its failure as a crime deterrent and its obstruction to rehabilitation and justice.

Previously, Türk condemned Kyrgyzstan for shutting down its National Center for the Prevention of Torture, viewing it as another significant departure from its international legal commitments.

The reintroduction of the death penalty in Kyrgyzstan thus stands as a contentious issue, sparking debate over justice, human rights, and international law adherence. As the country faces this critical juncture, the international community watches closely, advocating for paths that uphold human dignity and justice over retributive measures.