Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – The Anticorruption Business Council of the Kyrgyz Republic will begin a review of laws that may impact effective protection of property rights of businesses and citizens.  The primary goal of the initiative is to reduce the risk of corruption within judicial, fiscal, and law enforcement bodies that affect citizens and business. The project is being implemented with the support of the United States through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID).

A special task force with representatives of government bodies, civil society organizations, and businesses will analyze existing legislation and regulations, as well as law enforcement practices within the judicial system to identify areas at risk for corrupt practices.

“Only consolidated efforts of the government, government agencies, civil society, and the business community can help create an anticorruption model of public administration that is effective, open, transparent, and accountable to society,” said Nuripa Mukanova, Secretary-General of the Anticorruption Business Council of the Kyrgyz Republic and Chairperson of the Association of CSOs against Corruption.

The task force will develop mechanisms to address issues identified during the analysis.  Findings, recommendations, and draft amendments will be publicly discussed with all stakeholders and decision-makers.

In 2015, an international monitoring group of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) conducted research on anticorruption reform in Kyrgyzstan as part of the Istanbul Anticorruption Action Plan monitoring.  The research highlights conflicts among regulations, which not only hamper application of standards in judicial practice, but also pose serious corruption risks.

Through the USAID Collaborative Governance Program, the United States promotes effective collaboration among civil society, the private sector, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic.  The program facilitates the Kyrgyz Government’s efforts to increase civil society’s role in delivering social services, and to strengthen civil society participation in public policy, government transparency, and citizen advocacy.