"This report was researched and written by Hillary Margolis, researcher on women's rights in Europe and Central Asia for Human Rights Watch. Additional research was conducted by Mihra Rittmann, researcher in the Europe and Central Asia Division, and Janet Walsh, deputy director of the Women's Rights Division. Jans Mynbayeva, intern with the Women's Rights Division, provided research assistance" -- Acknowledgments. Includes bibliographical references.
Contents:
III. Obstacles to Protection and Redress: Summary -- Key Recommendations -- Methodology -- I. Background: Law Enforcement and Judicial Response: II. Legal and Policy Framework: Legal and Policy Framework on Gender Equality -- Legal Framework on Domestic Violence -- Orders of Protection -- Administrative and Criminal Codes -- Laws on Bride Kidnapping, Early and Forced Marriage, and Polygamy -- III. Obstacles to Protection and Redress: Social Barriers to Accessing Help: The "Kyrgyz Mentality" and Preserving the Family -- Shame, Stigma, and Victim-blaming -- Economic and Social Dependence and Isolation -- Unregistered, Child, and Forced Marriages -- Fear of the Abuser -- Lack of Services and Support for Survivors: Insufficient Shelter Space -- Lack of Legal Services for Survivors -- Health Services and Reporting to Police without Survivor Consent -- Lack of Referral Systems -- Law Enforcement and Judicial Response: To the Office of the Ombudsman on Human Rights -- Lack of Investigations and Convictions -- Inadequate Material and Human Resources and Training for Police -- Classification of Domestic Violence as a Minor Crime -- Justice System Emphasis on Reconciliation -- Issuing and Enforcing Protection Orders -- Delays in Divorce Proceedings in Cases of Domestic Violence -- Aksakals Courts (Elders Courts) -- IV. Proposed Changes to Legislation: IV. Kyrgyzstan's International Human Rights Obligations: International Standards -- Istanbul Convention -- Recommendations: To the President of Kyrgyzstan -- To the Parliament (Jogorku Kenesh) of the Government of Kyrgyzstan -- To the Ministry of Internal Affairs -- To the Ministry of Social Development -- To the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Court -- To the Office of the Prosecutor General -- To the Ministry of Health -- To the Office of the Ombudsman on Human Rights -- To Nongovernmental Organizations in Kyrgyzstan -- To the Department of Ethnic and Religious Policy under the Office of the President and the State Committee on Religious Affairs -- To the State Registration Service -- To Religious Leaders -- To the Courts of Aksakals -- To the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) -- To the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) -- To Kyrgyzstan's International Partners, including the European Union and its Member States -- To Nongovernmental Organizations in Kyrgyzstan -- Acknowledgments.
Summary:
"This 98-page report documents obstacles to accessing help or justice in cases of severe domestic abuse. Despite a 2003 domestic violence law, which guarantees survivors' rights to protection, social services, and redress, Human Rights Watch's report exposes gaps in state response to domestic violence, including police refusing to register or investigate complaints, police and courts failing to issue or enforce protection orders, and courts and prosecutors treating domestic violence as a minor offense carrying light penalties"--Publisher's description.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.