Identifying and addressing barriers to the participation of people with disabilities in parliamentary life was the focus of an assessment in Bishkek from 22 to 24 September 2026, supported by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
Organized together with the Jogorku Kenesh, Kyrgyzstan's parliament, and its Working Group on Accessibility, and with the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, the activities brought together parliamentarians, parliamentary staff and organizations of people with disabilities and other representatives of civil society.
"Our task is not to conduct a formal inspection or compile a list of shortcomings. We need to obtain an objective picture of the current situation, identify existing barriers, and jointly determine realistic ways to systematically eliminate them," said Mederbek Aliev, First Deputy Speaker of the Jogorku Kenesh and Chair of the Working Group.
The assessment combined a workshop, interviews and focus groups with a check of accessibility on the parliament's premises and in its communications. It examined how people with disabilities are represented and involved in parliamentary work, including in representation, lawmaking, oversight and consultation, as well as the accessibility of parliamentary infrastructure, services and processes.
This comprehensive disability inclusion assessment of the Kyrgyz parliament demonstrates not only the identified needs, but also the will to advance inclusion exists alongside the need," said Tea Jaliashvili, First Deputy Director of ODIHR. "It is particularly encouraging to see the partnerships being developed between the state institution - the parliament - and civil society and international organizations in achieving the objective for the benefit of the society as a whole. Such an effective partnership is already half-way to success."
The involvement of organizations for people with disabilities brought first-hand experience and expertise into the assessment, helping identify obstacles to participation and changes needed to make parliament more inclusive.
"In Kyrgyzstan, there is still insufficient understanding of disability as a matter of equal rights and opportunities. The medical and charity-based approach continues to prevail, with persons with disabilities often seen as recipients of assistance rather than as full and equal members of society, with the right to live independently, work and participate in decision-making," said Askar Turdugulov, Chair of the New Age Public Foundation, Adviser to the Mayor of Bishkek, and Ombudsperson on Disability Issues].
The findings will inform practical recommendations to help the Jogorku Kenesh improve its infrastructure, services and working practices, supporting the equal participation of people with disabilities in parliamentary life.
The assessment forms part of ODIHR's work to advance disability-inclusive parliaments . Through its assessment methodology, ODIHR helps parliaments examine barriers across their work and identify concrete steps towards institutions that better represent and serve everyone.
