LocationsJustice for All: How UNDP is Helping Make Justice Accessible in Kyrgyzstan
June 1, 2025
Akjol Kalbekov
In the offices of the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid Service (SGLAS) in Bishkek, business proceeds much as usual: lawyers providing consultations, preparing documents, and meeting with clients. But behind this routine lies a significant undertaking – ensuring access to justice for everyone, regardless of their means. A key role in this is played by the UNDP’s "Access to Justice" project, funded by the Government of Finland.
"Our goal is for anyone facing a legal problem to be able to receive qualified, state-guaranteed free legal aid,"says Akjol Kalbekov, head of the SGLAS.
According to Mr. Kalbekov, the situation began to improve thanks to the UNDP project. The project provided support in creating and establishing a system of State-Guaranteed Legal Aid, providing both resources and expertise.
During the equipment handover to the legal aid service
Among the key achievements has been the development and adoption of the State Programme for the Development of Free Legal Aid for 2024-2028, plus the introduction of an Automated Information System for Free Legal Aid, which has streamlined all processes and made them more transparent. A mechanism for providing legal aid in civil and administrative cases has also been introduced, as has enhanced preliminary advice to resolve issues at an early stage.
At present, 43 centres for free legal aid have been established and are operating across the country, 24 of which were set up under the Access to Justice project. A hotline, 114, has been launched, providing prompt consultations.
The "Bus of Solidarity" travels throughout the country, providing legal assistance to residents in the most remote and hard-to-reach regions of Kyrgyzstan.
During a legal consultation of the hotline 114
In addition to expanding free legal aid, amendments have been made to the Tax Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Labour Code and social insurance laws to strengthen economic inclusion and legal protection for people with disabilities.
Mr. Kalbekov stresses that the project has helped create a sustainable system. The SGLAS strives for independence and plans to transfer management to the bar association, with state funding.
There were initial difficulties, in particular a shortage of staff in rural areas. The "Young Lawyer" initiative, which trains lawyers to work in remote areas, is helping to address this problem.
The UNDP continues to act as a reliable partner in supporting the government of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Justice in implementing national priorities under the Law on State-Guaranteed Legal Aid and the National Programme of the State-Guaranteed Legal Aid System for 2024-2028.
Over the past three years, the Ministry of Justice has worked to strengthen the legal aid system, ensuring wider access to justice, particularly for women, people with disabilities and residents of rural areas. Between November 2023 and March 2025, 126,891 people received legal aid.
In conclusion, Akjol Kalbekov notes that, thanks to the UNDP project and support from the Government of Finland, free legal aid in Kyrgyzstan has become more effective and accessible.
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