Date of publication:

01/08/2026

Kyrgyzstan

Do domestic laws and policies provide forcibly displaced and stateless persons the right to move freely within the country?

ANALYSIS

Assessment by population

IDPs
Refugees
Asylum-seekers
Stateless persons
Analysis

The domestic laws and policies of the Kyrgyz Republic do allow persons lawfully present in the country to move freely within the country, except for certain restrictions established by law. This right is regulated by the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, which is the fundamental law, as well as special asylum legislation such as the Law on Refugees. 

Under Article 31 of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, everyone is granted the right to freedom of movement, choice of place of stay and residence within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. This provision covers everyone, including foreign citizens, stateless persons, asylum seekers and refugees, which confirms the universality of this right. 

Article 52 of the Constitution provides that foreign citizens and stateless persons legally present in the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic have the same rights and obligations as citizens. Exceptions may be provided only by laws or international treaties to which the Kyrgyz Republic is a party. 

The implementation of these constitutional norms for asylum seekers and refugees is regulated by the Law "On Refugees" of March 25, 2002 №44. 

Under article 6 of the Law "On Refugees" of March 25, 2002 №44, persons seeking refugee status and members of their families are granted the right to free movement throughout the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. An exception is made for areas closed to foreign nationals in accordance with the law, which strikes a balance between the rights of these persons and issues of national security. 

In turn, article 13 of the Law "On Refugees" stipulates that a person recognized as a refugee is entitled the same rights as foreign nationals, as set out in article 52 of the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic, permanently residing in the country. These rights include, inter alia, the right to free movement provided for in article 6 of the Act, which guarantees equality of opportunity for refugees and other categories of foreign nationals. 

Thus, the Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Law "On Refugees" of March 25, 2002 №44 ensure the right to free movement for all persons lawfully present in the territory of the country. This right may be restricted only in exceptional cases, such as visiting closed zones, which is in line with legislative requirements and international standards. 

    LAW & POLICY

    Related provisions of domestic law or policy

    The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic

    Legal provision

    Article 31 - Right to freedom of movement

    1. Everyone has the right to freedom of movement, choice of place of stay and residence within the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2. A citizen of the Kyrgyz Republic has the right to freely leave the Kyrgyz Republic and return without hindrance. Restriction of the right to leave is permitted only on the basis of law. The right of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic to return without hindrance is not subject to any restrictions.

    The Law of the Kyrgyz Republic on Refugees

    Legal provision

    Article 6 - Rights and obligations of a person who has applied for recognition as a refugee

    A person applying for recognition as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members have the right to: - move freely throughout the territory of the Kyrgyz Republic, with the exception of areas closed to foreign citizens in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - reside in a place of temporary settlement and use public utilities; - use medical care; - to have the Kyrgyz Republic assist in obtaining information about relatives living in the country of citizenship; - to voluntarily return to the country of citizenship; - to leave for a place of residence in a foreign country; - to be provided with judicial protection; - to receive an education; - to receive the services of an interpreter; - to be exempt from paying expenses related to the consideration of an application for refugee status at all stages.

    Article 13 - Rights and obligations of a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic

    A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic enjoys the same rights and bears the same obligations as foreign citizens permanently residing in the Kyrgyz Republic. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic shall also be granted the rights and obligations of a person applying for refugee status, as stipulated by Article 6 of this Law. A person recognized as a refugee in the Kyrgyz Republic and his family members shall have the right to: - reside for three months in a temporary settlement; - choose a settlement from among those proposed by the Authorized Body in which his relatives reside as their place of permanent residence, subject to their consent to cohabitation; - work for hire or engage in entrepreneurial activity in accordance with the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - acquire real estate under the conditions established for foreign citizens and stateless persons by the legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic; - receive, with the assistance of the relevant state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic, information about property left behind in the state of previous residence; - have the necessary documents proving his identity and travel documents; - to receive medical care on an equal basis with citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to receive administrative assistance when applying to state bodies of the Kyrgyz Republic; - to mandatory registration of civil status acts and receipt of relevant documents.