In Kyrgyzstan, judges of local courts are actively studying innovations in criminal law, which will enter into force on January 1, 2019. The first three-day seminar for judges of local courts started on October 17 in the building of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic of Bishkek.

Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic Gulbara Kaliyeva drew the attention of judges to the importance of this training and the need for self-study since with the introduction of new codes, both new institutions will appear and judges need to be fully prepared.

“The demands will be high, and the judges must show professionalism and competence,” Kaliyeva emphasized.

The Chairperson encouraged the use of educational materials on the website of the Supreme Court and electronic versions of codes in information systems. She thanked the project of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), funded by the US government, for facilitating a series of training workshops and publishing 300 copies of all Codes to be handed over to judges.

The director of the IDLO branch in Kyrgyzstan, Fred Houston, emphasized that the training modules of the seminars for judges on innovations in the Criminal Code, the Criminal Procedure Code, the Code of Offenses and the Code of Violations are based on practical skills. Active discussions of the participants will help improve these materials, which will be a guide for all present and future lawyers in the country.

The lecturers at the seminars are judges of the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic Janyl Mambetaly, Keneshbek Toktomambetov, Askat Sydykov, Chairman of the Bishkek City Court Irina Vorontsova, Judge of the Oktyabrsky District Court Kaysyn Abakirov, Retired Judge Rasiya Eraliyev and Retired Judge and IDLO Counselor Dastanbai Aijigitov.

Within the framework of the project, it is planned to hold eight seminars and train 250 judges of local courts throughout the country. During October-November of this year, five seminars will be held for judges of local courts in Chui, Talas, Issyk-Kul and Naryn oblasts in Bishkek and three seminars in Osh for judges of Osh, Jalal-Abad and Batken oblasts.