Proposed Amendments to Criminal Code Aim to Combat Kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan
The Committee on Law and Order, Combating Crime and Corruption of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan has approved a bill titled “On Amendments to the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic” in its first reading. The bill, initiated by deputy Kubanychbek Samakov, aims to replace the term “adamdy ala kachuu” (abduction) with “adamdy uurdoo” (kidnapping) in Article 172 of the Criminal Code.
According to the deputy, the change in terminology will help in the uniform application of terms in criminal legislation and eliminate confusion in describing criminal offenses. The term “ala kachuu” is considered to have a more neutral meaning for many citizens, as it also refers to voluntary unions between individuals in Kyrgyzstan.
The bill addresses situations where elopement or abduction is staged due to various reasons such as disagreements between parents, financial constraints, or mourning periods. By distinguishing between forced abductions and consensual unions, the bill aims to prevent confusion and ensure clarity in legal matters related to such cases.
During the discussion, MP Bekmurza Ergeshov suggested retaining the term “adamdy ala kachuu” unchanged, while deputies Aisuluu Mamashova and Alisher Erbaev supported the proposed amendments and offered additional suggestions. The bill will undergo further deliberation and consideration by the Parliament before potentially becoming law.
