2008

Liability for offences committed against women is regulated by the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic. In particular, chapter 18 provides for a number of articles on offences against the sexual inviolability and sexual freedom of the individual. For example, article 129 criminalizes rape, i.e. sexual relations involving the use or threat of physical violence against the victim or her relations, or exploitation of the victim's state of helplessness.

Aggravating circumstances are also provided for by article 97 (2), section 2 (Murder), article 104 (1), section 2 (Serious injury to health), article 111 (3), section 2 (Torture), article 123 (5), section 2 (Abduction of a person), article 124 (3), section 3 (Trafficking in persons), article 125 (6), section 2 (Illegal deprivation of freedom) and article 227 (7), section 2 (Hostage-taking).

The Criminal Code also criminalizes bigamy and polygamy (article 153), the coercion of a woman to enter into marriage or to continue marital cohabitation, the abduction of a woman to enter into marriage against her will and the obstruction of a woman from entering into marriage (article 155).

Response of the government of the Republic of Kyrgyz to the questionnaire on violence against women, 2008