OSCE supports the strengthening of legal measures against illicit drug trafficking in Kyrgyzstan

Participants of the closing meeting of the interagency working group on development of national draft law on illicit drug trafficking, Bishkek, 12 December 2023. (OSCE/Daniiar Kamalov) Photo details

In 2023, the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek (the Programme Office) collaborated with the Service on Countering Illicit Drug Trafficking (SCIDT) of the Kyrgyz Ministry of Internal Affairs to develop a new national draft law on illicit drug trafficking. This initiative aimed to address the limitations of the existing legal framework, which encountered difficulties in tackling the increasing complexities of national, regional, and global drug trafficking challenges.

The development process, supported by the Programme Office, involved the engagement of national consultants to aid in drafting the law. Additionally, the Programme Office facilitated two meetings of the interagency working group, ensuring effective co-operation between consultants and working group members. The foundation for this draft law was laid through collaborative efforts between the SCIDT and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in 2019, reflecting the joint commitment of international organizations and national stakeholders to combat illicit drug trafficking.

The adoption of the new draft national law on 7 March, 2024, signed by President Sadyr Japarov, signifies Kyrgyzstan's dedication to strengthening its legal framework against illicit drug trafficking. By aligning with key international conventions ratified in 1994, the newly developed law equips law enforcement agencies of Kyrgyzstan with modernized tools and mechanisms, enhancing their capacity to combat organized crime networks involved in illicit drug trafficking.