According to the report, the human rights situation in Kyrgyzstan continued to deteriorate in 2025. Growing concerns included restrictions on civil society, freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and the media, as well as issues of good governance, prevention of torture, and discrimination against minorities.

The EU report cited the Law on Mass Media, adopted in August 2025. The law required all media outlets to register and limited foreign ownership to 35 percent. Kyrgyzstan’s media environment was characterized by increasing state control, exemplified by restrictive laws and seemingly politically motivated persecution of media workers.

Torture, corruption, and other problems

International observers have raised questions about the closure of the National Center for the Prevention of Torture and the transfer of its functions to the Ombudsperson. The EU is concerned about the institution’s capacity to prevent torture and its autonomy.

European diplomats also noted that corruption remains a serious problem and suggested that the Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2025–2030 is being applied selectively.

The report also identified a number of other problems.

National minorities: discrimination against ethnic minorities in employment and education persists.

Religion: the new law suppresses freedom of conscience and religion and increases discrimination against religious communities.

LGBTI: Discrimination against this group remains widespread.

Gender-based violence: the number of reports of domestic violence has increased. However, EU experts also see some positive aspects to this — it may indicate that women have become more trusting of law enforcement and are more likely to report crimes.

A positive development is noted: the Constitutional Court rejected a proposal to reinstate the death penalty for serious crimes against women and children after significant public opposition.

The report notes that the European Union continues to provide financial support to Kyrgyzstan to improve its human rights situation.

The document also notes that trade preferences (GSP+ status), which allow Kyrgyzstan to export goods to Europe duty-free, are directly dependent on compliance with 27 international conventions on human rights and good governance. The EU intends to continue rigorous monitoring of the situation.