LocationsNew Laws to Protect the Rights of People with Disabilities
May 28, 2025
Collage with photos of people with disabilities
In recent years, the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities has gained increased attention in Kyrgyzstan. According to the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration, more than 218,000 citizens with disabilities were registered in the country in the first half of 2025, accounting for 3% of the total population. Over the past decade, this number has increased by 50,000.
National Commitments Under the UN Convention
Kyrgyzstan ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2019, which entered into force on March 24 of the same year. Ratification established a legal commitment to ensure the rights of persons with disabilities and to promote their full participation in society through inclusive environments and accessible infrastructure.
While important steps have been taken to align national legislation with the Convention, additional efforts are required to ensure enforcement, improve accessibility, and advance equal access to justice and services.
"Accessible Country" State Programme
To support inclusive development, the Government adopted the state programme "Accessible Country" (2023–2030). The programme aims to improve living conditions for persons with disabilities.
According to Kyal Januzakova, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration:
“This program is based on the principles of universal design and adaptation. Universal design refers to the rules for designing and using facilities, programs, and services that are accessible to all. This includes buildings, transportation, media, and communications.”
Kyal Januzakova, Deputy Minister of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration
Institutional Reforms and Legal Safeguards
To strengthen institutional support, a Council on the Affairs of Persons with Disabilities was established in 2020 to promote disability rights at the policy level.
A draft law has been developed, proposing that all regulations affecting the rights of persons with disabilities must be subject to mandatory review by the Disability Affairs Council. This is an important step toward ensuring that the interests of persons with disabilities are properly taken into account.
Incentives to Promote Inclusive Employment
Several tax incentives were introduced in 2024 to encourage employment and social inclusion of persons with disabilities:
Income tax for persons with disabilities in Groups I and II was reduced from 10% to 5%;
Tax benefits were extended to persons with hearing impairments (Group III);
Social Fund contributions were reduced to 3.25%, with certain sector-specific exceptions.
According to the Member of Parliament Dastan Bekeshev, companies that hire persons with disabilities receive additional benefits:
“If a company employs 50 people and at least 1–2 of them are persons with disabilities, it may take advantage of the above benefits. If the number of employees exceeds 100 and includes 3–4 persons with disabilities, the company becomes eligible for reduced Social Fund contributions. However, if the employer fails to meet the established quota, a fine is imposed in accordance with the Code of Offenses.”
Dastan Bekeshev, Member of the Parliament
This mechanism is beneficial both for employers and for creating real employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is a key partner of the Kyrgyz Republic in advancing reforms aligned with the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This progress has been achieved through the long-standing cooperation between UNDP and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. Through the “Access to Justice” project, Finland has provided critical support for the promotion and protection of disability rights in Kyrgyzstan.
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