Human rights in Kyrgyzstan

Human rights in Kyrgyzstan rank poorly, and continue to decline due to political centralization and restrictions on fundamental freedoms. Beginning in 2021, Freedom House has classified Kyrgyzstan as "not free". The United States Department of State reports concerns including torture; arbitrary arrest or detention; restrictions on freedom of expression and media, including censorship and violence against journalists; antisemitism; human trafficking, forced labor and child labor; and systematic restrictions, threats and violence against union activities. Government actions against media, journalists and activists escalated from May to October 2025. As of August 2025, a media law requires mandatory government registration for all media outlets, including online media.

As of 2025, Kyrgyzstan ranked 104th of 143 countries on the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index. Also in 2025, its ranking on Reporters Without Borders (RSF)'s World Press Freedom Index dropped 24 places, to 144th of 180 countries. Key issues include arbitrary arrests of journalists and activists, weakening of legal protections against torture, and the government's use of restrictive legislation to limit the activity of independent NGOs and restrict free expression in media and civil activities. Constitutional changes have been used to significantly expand presidential authority, weaken parliamentary oversight and allow unchecked corruption.

Corruption is an issue in the country, which ranks 146th of 180 countries on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Despite some reports of improvements, women in Kyrgyzstan experience high rates of domestic violence, bride kidnapping, human trafficking, child marriage, economic inequality, and under-representation in political life. LGBTQ rights in Kyrgyzstan have been declining in recent years.