According to UN News, the statement followed the Kyrgyz parliament’s approval in the first reading of the draft law «On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Kyrgyz Republic.»

UN experts said the bill defines sex as immutable and based solely on biological characteristics assigned at birth. They noted that it also prohibits changes to gender markers in civil status records and other documents, bans medical interventions related to gender transition, and requires parents to raise their children strictly in accordance with the sex assigned at birth.

The experts stressed that the proposed amendments contradict both the Constitution of Kyrgyzstan and the country’s international human rights obligations.

According to them, the changes could undermine the principle of gender equality and affect a range of fundamental rights, including the rights to privacy, health, education, freedom of expression, and freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

They also criticized the arguments of the bill’s authors linking the recognition of gender diversity to threats to demographic policy, national security, and sustainable development. The experts called on the Kyrgyz parliament to withdraw the draft law and ensure that any future legislation complies with the country’s national and international human rights commitments.

UN independent experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council. They are not UN staff members and do not receive salaries for their work. The experts serve in their individual capacity and do not represent any government or organization.