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" /></td> <td> <p style="font-size:1.4em;">United Nations</p> </td> <td> <p> <span style="font-size:2em;">CCPR</span>/C/KGZ/CO/3</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td> </td> <td> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.7em;">International Covenant on Civil and Political R ights</p> </td> <td> <p>Distr.: General</p> <p>9 December 2022</p> <p>Original: English</p> </td> </tr> </table> <div class="content"> <p style="font-weight:bold;font-size:1.2em;">Human Rights Committee</p> <h2 style="font-weight:bold;">Concluding observations on the third periodic report of Kyrgyzstan *</h2> <p>1.The Committee considered the third periodic report of Kyrgyzstan at its 3921st and 3922nd meetings, held on 11 and 12 October 2022. At its 3945th meeting, held on 28 October 2022, it adopted the present concluding observations.</p> <h3>A.Introduction</h3> <p>2.The Committee welcomes the submission of the third periodic report of Kyrgyzstan and the information presented therein. It expresses appreciation for the opportunity to renew its constructive dialogue with the State party s high-level delegation on the measures taken during the reporting period to implement the provisions of the Covenant. The Committee is grateful to the State party for its written replies to the list of issues, which were supplemented by the oral responses provided by the delegation, and for the additional information provided to it in writing.</p> <h3>B.Positive aspects</h3> <p>3.The Committee welcomes the following legislative and institutional measures taken by the State party:</p> <p>(a)The adoption of the new law on amendments to the Law on State-Guaranteed Legal Aid, in 2022; </p> <p>(b)The adoption of the Constitution, on 5 May 2021, which contains provisions on the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including rights stipulated in the Covenant, and on the place of international law, including international human rights law, in the domestic legal system (arts. 6 (3) and 55 of the Constitution);</p> <p>(c)The adoption of the Presidential Decree on the State Strategy for Combating Corruption and Elimination of the Consequences Thereof for the period 2021 2024, in 2020;</p> <p>(d)The adoption of the Concept for the Development of the Civil Identity of the Kyrgyz Jarany in Kyrgyzstan for the period 2021 2026, in 2020;</p> <p>(e)The adoption of the Anti-Corruption Plan for the Judiciary for 2021 2024, in 2020;</p> <p>(f)The establishment of the National Referral Mechanism for Victims of Trafficking in Persons, in 2019.</p> <p>4.The Committee welcomes the ratification by the State party of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, in 2019.</p> <h3>C.Principal matters of concern and recommendations</h3> <h3>Implementation of the Covenant and its Optional Protocol</h3> <p>5.While noting the implementation of the National Human Rights Action Plan for the period 2019 2021, the Committee remains concerned about the delay in finalizing the action plan for 2022 2024 and the lack of meaningful and open consultations with relevant stakeholders, including civil society. The Committee is also concerned that the bill on legal acts provides a short timeline for public consultation on draft laws in specific cases. The Committee welcomes the information provided by the State party that, under the Criminal Procedure Code of 2021, victims can apply to national courts for the reopening of cases in relation to which the Committee found a violation of the Covenant by the State party. However, the Committee is concerned about the delays in implementing and the failure to implement the Views adopted by the Committee, and about the low number of direct applications of the provisions of the Covenant by domestic courts. While welcoming the significant progress that the State party has made in addressing statelessness, the Committee remains concerned about the bill on deprivation of citizenship. This bill provides for the possibility of deprivation of citizenship on the grounds of participation in acts related to terrorism, funding of terrorist activities, treason, espionage, separatism, extremism, and fighting as a mercenary, and does not guarantee the right to a fair trial and adequate due process safeguards.</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">6. The State party should:</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(a) Expedite the adoption of the National Human Rights Action Plan for the period 2022 2024 with open and meaningful consultations with civil society; </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(b) Review the draft law on legal acts, with a view to ensuring the possibility of open and meaningful engagement by all relevant actors, including civil society, in the law-making process;</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(c) Take all measures necessary to ensure the implementation of all pending Views adopted by the Committee, through appropriate and effective mechanisms, so as to guarantee the right of victims to an effective remedy when there has been a violation of the Covenant, in accordance with article 2 (3) of the Covenant, including through training programmes for the judiciary, prosecutors and lawyers;</p> <p>(d)<span style="font-weight:bold;">Disseminate the Views adopted by the Committee with a view to raising awareness among the judicial, legislative and administrative authorities, civil society, and the general public, including by translating the Committee</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">s Views into the languages used in the State party and posting them on official websites;</span></p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(e) Ensure the compliance of the bill governing deprivation of citizenship with the Covenant and international human rights standards.</p> <h3>National human rights institution </h3> <p>7.The Committee is concerned about the lack of progress in ensuring full independence of the Office of the Ombudsperson (Akyikatchy). The Committee also regrets the State party s failure to amend the Law on the Ombudsperson to ensure its compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles). The Committee further regrets not having received information on financial and technical resources allocated to the Office of the Ombudsperson (art. 2).</p> <p>8.<span style="font-weight:bold;">Recalling the Committee</span> <span style="font-weight:bold;">s previous recommendations, the State party should:</span></p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(a) Consult with civil society on bringing the mandate of the Ombudsperson (Akyikatchy) into full compliance with the principles relating to the status of national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (the Paris Principles), including by ensuring its full independence from executive authorities;</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(b) Provide the Office of the Ombudsperson with sufficient human and financial resources to carry out its mandate effectively and independently.</p> <h3>Anti-corruption measures</h3> <p>9.While welcoming the anti-corruption reforms and measures undertaken by the State party, the Committee remains concerned at the reports indicating a steep increase in corruption, including among judges. It also regrets the lack of detailed information on the investigations, prosecutions and convictions in corruption cases, especially against high-level public officials. The Committee is concerned about the draft law on voluntary legalization and amnesty for property and income of individuals, which suggests removing asset declarations by public officials from public access. In addition, the Committee is concerned that the Law on Public Procurement of 14 April 2022 removed a third of all government procurements from the publicly available data (arts. 2 and 14).</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">10. The State party should:</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(a) Ensure that all acts of corruption are investigated promptly and thoroughly and that those responsible for corruption, including high-level corruption and corruption in the judiciary, are prosecuted and sanctioned in accordance with the gravity of the offence;</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(b) Ensure the recovery of assets, where appropriate;</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(c) Provide training to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and judges on detecting, investigating and prosecuting corruption, particularly high-level corruption;</p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(d) Review the draft law on voluntary legalization and amnesty for property and income of individuals, with broad engagement by civil society, and refrain from removing asset declarations by public officials from public access; </p> <p style="font-weight:bold;">(e) Review the Law on Procurement to ensure transparency and accountability in public procurement, including through public access to information and by establishing an independent oversight mechanism.</p> <h3>Non-discrimination</h3> <p>11.The Committee welcomes the information provided by the State party that the draft National Human Rights Action Plan for 2022 2024 includes the proposals for the adoption of comprehensive anti-discrimination legislation. However, the Committee remains concerned that the existing legal framework does not afford full and effective protection against direct, indirect and multiple discrimination in the public and private sectors and on all the grounds prohibited under the Covenant. Particularly, it is concerned that article 24 of the Constitution does not explicitly mention sexual orientation and gender identity as grounds of discrimination, and its applicability to discrimination in the private sphere, including education and healt