FVLWB Drives Legislative Reforms to Safeguard Against Statelessness in Kyrgyzstan

In August 2024, the Kyrgyz government adopted a groundbreaking regulation aimed at strengthening the protection of migrants’ rights and improving citizenship procedures. In close collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, FVLWB played a key role in drafting this regulation.

The new regulation enforces the implementation of the February 2023 amendments to the Law on Citizenship of the Kyrgyz Republic. These amendments, which were developed with recommendations provided by FVLWB following active engagement with members of parliament, introduced several key reforms:

• The revised law prohibits the termination of Kyrgyz citizenship through renunciation if the individual does not hold another citizenship or lacks guarantees of acquiring one. This aligns with international legal standards that state revocation or deprivation of citizenship should not render a person stateless.
• Under the new law, children born on Kyrgyz territory are granted Kyrgyz citizenship if both or one of their parents are foreign citizens and the parents’ country of citizenship does not confer citizenship to the child.
• Former citizens of Kyrgyzstan can now regain Kyrgyz citizenship without any requirements regarding their length of residence in the country or proof of current income.

FVLWB continues to work closely with the Ministry of Digital Development to ensure transparent and effective implementation of these provisions. FVLWB is also preparing to conduct training sessions for public officials and legal professionals to enhance their understanding and application of these important changes.