OSCE/ODIHR report provides recommendations on improving the legislative process in Kyrgyzstan

The legislative process in Kyrgyzstan should be comprehensive and policy-based, says an OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) assessment, presented in Bishkek on 11 December 2015 at a meeting co-organized by ODIHR and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.

During the meeting, more than 35 representatives from the Presidential Administration, Kyrgyz parliament, government, other state institutions, civil society and international organizations discussed the findings of ODIHR’s Comprehensive Assessment Report of the Legislative Process in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The report, completed in October 2015 in response to an official request received from the Kyrgyz Presidential Administration, analyzes the legislative and practical aspects of the law-making process in the country, and provides recommendations for reform.

"This report looks at the entire law-making process, starting from the stage of policy discussions, to the drafting process, and ending when a law is actually adopted," said Alice Thomas, Chief of ODIHR’s Legislative Support Unit. "We believe that all aspects of this process are important to achieve quality legislation that is then implemented on the ground."

ODIHR’s report recommends, among other measures, to introduce unified evidence-based drafting and law-making standards in the Kyrgyz Republic, including public consultations of draft laws. It further advises lawmakers to enhance policy discussions at the start of the legislative process, and to introduce more realistic procedural deadlines.

"We believe this report will positively contribute to the harmonization of the entire legislative process in compliance with international and national obligations," said Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. "In this historical moment, this aspect is critical for Kyrgyzstan in view of the current legislative efforts aimed at reforming the judicial system."

The assessment is part of the OSCE’s ongoing activities to assist Kyrgyzstan in its efforts to implement key OSCE commitments, including those on the need to formulate and adopt legislation through an open, transparent and inclusive process.