OSCE's human rights office expresses concern over early date set for Kyrgyz constitutional referendum

WARSAW, 24 January 2003 - The OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is concerned that the constitutional referendum in Kyrgyzstan, scheduled to take place on 2 February, may be premature.

On 13 January, the Central Election Commission of Kyrgyzstan invited the ODIHR to observe the referendum, which was subsequently set for 2 February. The ODIHR has declined the invitation, as the late action did not permit effective observation of the entire referendum process.

"The ODIHR is concerned that such short notice between the announcement and the referendum appears inadequate", said Steven Wagenseil, the Acting Director of ODIHR.

In addition, the Kyrgyz authorities had requested an opinion on the draft amendments from the Council of Europe's European Commission for Democracy through Law (the Venice Commission), which was issued in mid-December. Yet none of their recommendations have been taken into account, and 13 days before the voting, the constitutional amendments that are the subject of the referendum were still being changed.

In light of these facts, the ODIHR urges the authorities in Kyrgyzstan to postpone the referendum in order to permit further consultations concerning the proposed amendments, including talks with the Venice Commission. Such a postponement would also make international observation of the referendum process possible.