Kyrgyz MPs debate on severe punishment for bride kidnapping

The Kyrgyz women organization “Open Line” is conducting an action called “A present for MP” to draw the MPs’ attention to tragic results of bride kidnapping phenomenon and convince them to change the law.
The present is an envelope with a letter written by a victim of bride kidnapping who attempted to commit suicide to free herself from unwanted marriage. Along with the letter there is an appeal of Kyrgyz women organization to toughen the law on criminal responsibility of a kidnapper. The action was accompanied by press conferences to publicize the problem.

The project on making stricter penalty for bride kidnapping was already debated by the Kyrgyz Parliament last year. At that time, most of the MPs rejected it. This year, however, the project has been supported by 66 MPs with only 12 of them being against it. There is a good chance that in its third reading the MPs will vote for it and pass the law that toughen the penalty for bride kidnapping.

For more current information from the Region see KARAT News
http://www.karat.org/
http://www.karat.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/KARAT_News_October_2012.pdf