Kyrgyzstan"s Parliament Approves Revised Bill on Internet Insults and Libel

Public dissatisfaction arose over the high penalties it proposed, which included fines of 100,000 KGS ($1,200) for individuals and 200,000 KGS ($2,400) for legal entities.

Photo: Kabar news agency

Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) has approved a bill in its second reading that imposes fines for insults and libel on the internet.

Initially criticized for its steep penalties, the fines have been reduced fivefold following public backlash, The Caspian Post reports, citing The Times of Central Asia.

The bill was first introduced to the parliamentary committee in June. Public dissatisfaction arose over the high penalties it proposed, which included fines of 100,000 KGS ($1,200) for individuals and 200,000 KGS ($2,400) for legal entities.

Kyrgyz Ombudsman Jamilya Dzhamanbaeva was among the first to voice opposition, arguing that the fines were “unreasonably high” and violated the principle of proportionality. Media representatives also demanded public consultations, emphasizing that laws affecting citizens’ rights and media freedom require parliamentary hearings under Article 115 of Kyrgyz law.

Responding to the widespread criticism, lawmakers amended the bill to reduce the fines by 80%.