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Thursday, 29 October 2015
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  • Kyrgyzstan: End Barriers to Help for Domestic Violence Victims

    (Bishkek, October 29, 2015) – Women suffering domestic violence in Kyrgyzstan lack adequate protection and access to justice due to insufficient police and judicial response, Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. The government is doing too little to provide shelter and other services for survivors of abuse. Kyrgyzstan’s government is currently reviewing a new domestic violence law, which could strengthen protections. Domestic violence is widespread in Kyrgyzstan, affecting nearly one-third of women and girls, ages 15-49. The 98-page report, “‘Call Me When He Tries to Kill You’: State Response to Domestic Violence in Kyrgyzstan,” documents obstacles to accessing help or justice in cases of severe domestic abuse. Despite a 2003 domestic violence law, which guarantees survivors’ rights to protection, social services, and redress, Human Rights Watch’s report exposes gaps in state response to domestic violence, including police refusing to register or investigate complaints, police and courts failing to issue or enforce protection orders, and courts and prosecutors treating domestic violence as a minor offense carrying light penalties.
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