OSCE/ODIHR preliminary assessment recommends measures to enhance planning, drafting of legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic
The process of drafting and preparing legislation in the Kyrgyz Republic should be more transparent and participatory, said a preliminary assessment presented by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Bishkek on 2 June 2014. The presentation was held for representatives of the country’s parliament, the Jogorku Kenesh, and of the government, the presidential administration and civil society.
Prepared upon the request of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek, the preliminary assessment report highlights concerns related to the legal framework regulating the legislative process, including the short amount of time allocated for the preparation of draft laws and amendments, the lack of clear guidelines for the drafters of laws, and the limited use of key lawmaking tools such as regulatory impact assessments and public consultations when drafting legislation.
“This preliminary assessment is aimed at identifying possible areas to enhance the legislative process,” said John MacGregor, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek. “It is also a good starting point for further discussions with the relevant Kyrgyz authorities on supporting the transparency and inclusiveness of the lawmaking process.”
Alice Thomas, Chief of ODIHR’s Legislative Support Unit, said: “Laws are usually only of good quality if the legislative procedure involves intensive policy discussions with all relevant stakeholders, and at an early stage. ODIHR welcomes the interest of the Kyrgyz authorities in enhancing the functioning of their legislative process, and is ready to provide further support.”
The assessment is part of ongoing activities of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek and ODIHR to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in its efforts to implement key OSCE commitments, including that to formulate and adopt legislation in an open process to reflect the will of the people.