In October of 2006, the ABA conducted a televised forum on anti-money laundering legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic through its Anti-Corruption Program.

In April 2006, the ABA sent a U.S.-based attorney as an Anti-Corruption Advisor to Bishkek for seven months to assess opportunities for Kyrgyz institutional and legislative reforms and to increase regional capacity to fight corruption. The Advisor prepared an assessment of existing anti-corruption legislation in Kyrgyzstan that discussed how well those laws complied with the United National Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC).  Kyrgyzstan ratified the UNCAC in September 2005. In October 2006, this analysis was both presented to the Parliament and discussed during a roundtable attended by members of government, civil society, international organizations and the media.  In February 2007, the analysis had formed the basis of a draft anti-corruption law in Parliament that seeks to bring the legislative framework into compliance with the UNCAC.

The Advisor also built upon needs expressed by participants at a May 2006 regional judicial anti-money laundering training held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, by organizing a nationally televised public forum on Kyrgyzstan's new anti-money laundering law. The program aired in both Russian and Kyrgyz during prime time, and was complemented by the broadcast of an anti-corruption public service announcement developed by the Advisor and the Criminal Law Reform program.

 

Combating human trafficking through legal trainings

The ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) combats trafficking in persons (TIP) in Kyrgyzstan by raising awareness among law enforcement, defense attorneys and the judiciary to strengthen prevention, prosecution and victim protection. With funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, ABA ROLI has developed a series of TIP trainings for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and defense attorneys. During 2009–2010, ABA ROLI has provided 20 trainings to about 300 justice sector and law enforcement personnel. ABA ROLI is also creating standardized TIP investigation and prosecution guidelines, which will be developed into textbooks for inclusion into government academies’ curricula.

Criminal law program

ABA ROLI continues to promote professional development among lawyers. Launched in 2005, our criminal law reform program in Kyrgyzstan created a working group that drafted a law to establish a national bar association. ABA ROLI also helped establish an Advocates Training Center (ATC), making regular continuing legal education a possibility for the first time in Kyrgyzstan. Since 2008, the center has trained an average of 25 participants each month. ABA ROLI helps the center train advocates on issues including arrest warrants, pre-trial detention procedures and jury trials.

With funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, ABA ROLI continues to support institutions and to advocate for legislation that enables the legal community to better defend citizens’ rights. ABA ROLI is increasing the capacity of the ATC to develop courses, reach more legal professionals and become self-sustainable. ABA ROLI is ensuring that the defense advocate community is brought into the reform process on the criminal procedure code so that legislative bodies address the most needed reforms and is making inroads with the legal community in advance of the 2010 parliamentary elections.

Maintaining the integrity of the constitutional referendum and parliamentary elections

ABA ROLI is implementing an emergency election rights program with funding from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Through this program, ABA ROLI works to boost the legal community’s ability to manage election complaints and to increase voters’ awareness of their rights, especially targeting youth and minorities in the south.

"Be a juror." A graphic from the ABA ROLI's PSA introducing the basic concept of juries and the responsibilities of the lay public. (2007)

Since 2001, the ABA Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) has been implementing a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded civic education program in Kyrgyzstan. The program focuses on improving legal awareness among Kyrgyz youth and on increasing legal knowledge and skills among marginalized religious communities to help them engage effectively with the justice system and government institutions.

ABA ROLI has conducted street law trainings in both public secular schools and religious educational institutions, introducing students to basic secular legal concepts with an emphasis on their rights. The program aims to increase the students’ understanding of secular law and individual rights and to instill greater knowledge among marginalized communities of their rights and of the legitimate mechanisms for interacting with government representatives and institutions. ABA ROLI is also working to build the capacity of five local street law centers to ensure that they can independently operate and expand sustainable programs.