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Bishkek, October 8, 2021 - This Friday, on October 8th, within the framework of the joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative in Bishkek UNDP and UNFPA together with the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic (MoHSD) and the Probation Department under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic discussed issues related to improving the mechanism for implementing correctional programs for perpetrators of violence.
According to the legislation, persons who have committed domestic violence must undergo a mandatory correctional program in order to prevent similar cases in the future. However, the mechanism for implementing such programs requires significant improvements in terms of the regulatory framework, standards for the provision of services and multisectoral coordination.
According to official data, 7,665 cases of domestic violence have been registered in Kyrgyzstan since the beginning of the year, which is 30 percent more than in the same period last year. However, only 10 percent of the cases went to court.
“We, as the Probation Department, are interested in the implementation of a correctional program, as practice shows that this initiative prevents domestic and gender-based violence and is part of a comprehensive response and reduction of violence in general.” - noted Daniyar Moldokul uulu, Deputy Director of the Probation Department under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.
"Today's discussion is very relevant in light of the revision of the Law of the Kyrgyz Republic" On the Protection and Protection from Domestic Violence "within the framework of the legislative inventory process, since the agreed recommendations will form the basis of the new version of the law, taking into account new state bodies, such as the Probation Department, and local law enforcement practice."- noted Zhazgul Egemnazarova, Leading Specialist of the Unit on Gender Policy and Protection from Domestic Violence of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Tolkun Tiulekova, Executive Director of the Association of Crisis Centers of the Kyrgyz Republic: “The current situation represents only response of responsible state actors to the consequences of domestic violence, and these are huge economic losses incurred by the state budget. According to UNDP study, the cost of 15 registered cases of murders as a result of domestic violence amounted to 42,863,070 soms, while the state needs an average of 25,492 million soms a year for prevention and emergency response to cases of violence."
The parties discussed at the meeting the legal basis for the implementation of the correctional program, its goals and objectives, as well as issues of practical implementation, including referral, interaction between the MoHSD and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the main problems and obstacles. Following the meeting, it was proposed to continue holding broad consultations with all stakeholders to develop common measures to reduce domestic violence in the Kyrgyz Republic.
About Joint EU-UN Spotlight Initiative
In January 2020, in partnership with the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, the EU and the UN launched a multi-year country program under the global Spotlight Initiative to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The goal of the program is to create an environment in which all women and girls in Kyrgyzstan, especially the most vulnerable, live without violence and harmful practices, including child marriage and ‘ala kachuu’. The program includes a set of integrated policies and legislation, strengthening institutions, preventing violence, providing services to survivors of violence, collecting quality data and supporting the women's movement and civil society. The program is implemented by five UN agencies (UN Women, UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF and UNODC) under the overall leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Kyrgyz Republic.
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Chyntemir Kalbaev
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