Project overview

The project aims to build capacities of state institutions at all levels to prevent violent extremism by transferring knowledge and support in the development and application of rule of law, gender sensitive and human rights compliant mechanisms.

Interim results

Implementing partners of RUNOs, including three human rights organizations, provided legal advice on human rights in 1,125 cases. Legal assistance, including representation before State bodies and courts, was provided to 141 persons, 58 of which were directly related to extremism. As a result, 15 persons have so far been exempted from criminal liability and 6 persons have received reduced sentences, including through the decriminalization of the storage of extremist materials. Seven cases of individual communications were sent to the UN Human Rights Committee and nine complaints were sent to UN Special Procedures.

The informational and analytical site www.prevention.kg, developed as part of the project, serves as the only dedicated informational resource in the field of PVE in the country. The web site has become an active information, educational and expert platform for religious scholars, political scientists, theologians, students and journalists not only within Kyrgyzstan, but also abroad. On average, 2 850 people visit the site per month, which is about 560 people per day. 40% of readers in Kyrgyzstan, 25% in Russia, 9% Kazakhstan, 8% in Uzbekistan and Ukraine, as well as within 2-3% of Tajikistan, Belarus, and the United States.

For the first time since gaining independence, the national criminal justice was thoroughly analysed by reviewing of more than 450 terrorism and extremism related criminal cases. As a result, practical level systemic gaps and inconsistencies of criminal legislation identified, which still cause broad violations of human rights and freedom (e.g. people were jailed just because of putting ‘likes’ in social media). The results of analyses have also been reviewed and discussed by the Supreme Court, which plans to gradually eliminate those gaps and inconsistencies, which therefore will generate a positive human impact in long run. On the other hand, the new versions of the laws on countering terrorism and extremism have been fully attached to/aligned with the newly adopted human-rights centred, humanized Criminal Legislation, so making security and law enforcement agencies much accountable and responsible should they act upon illegally or violated the norms of Criminal Legislation. Therefore, adoption of new laws will increase human rights protection and as such human impact in long run.

Expected results

Outcome 1: Justice and security sector institutions, national and local authorities, civil society apply socially inclusive approaches and participatory decision-making in order to prevent violent extremism

Output 1: State authorities have expertise and capacity to design and implement socially inclusive, gender sensitive, human rights compliant policies and legislation applying participatory approaches reflecting the specific needs of women, men, girls and boys

Output 2: Law enforcement, judiciary have expertise and capacity to engage with stakeholders, including human rights organizations, experts and communities and operate in line with international human rights standards

Output 3: Civil society actors with a special focus to youth and women are capacitated to actively engage in the field of prevention of violent extremism with duty bearers

Status  Ongoing

Start date  12\01\2018

Projected end date  14\12\2020        

Geographic coverage Kyrgyz Republic

Subject area  Peacebuilding

Project coordinator  Mukash Kaldarov

Partners  State agency for LSG and interethnic relations, State forensic service, Parliament, President's office, Government's office, MIA, MFA, Ombudsman, expert’s community, Bar association.

Funding Source  UN Peacebuilding Fund

Budget (by years) $ 1,258,000.00