Joint EU/CoE Programme on Central Asia and Mongolia
A joint programme funded by the European Union and implemented by the Council of Europe “Support for democratic reforms, human right mechanisms and the principles of the rule of law in Latin America, Central Asia and Mongolia” 2024-2026
Project overview
The Venice Commission launched the 2024-2026 Joint European Union/Council of Europe Support to Democratic Reforms, Human Rights Mechanisms, and Rule of Law Principles programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the Venice Commission on the 1st of January 2024 to support Central Asian countries in strengthening democratic governance, the rule of law, and human rights protection mechanisms. This initiative focuses on Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (members of the Venice Commission) and Uzbekistan, Mongolia.
The project aims to enhance constitutional and electoral systems, promote judicial independence, and strengthen democratic institutions through legal opinions, technical support, and high-level consultations. The Venice Commission works closely with national authorities, electoral bodies, constitutional courts, civil society organisations as well as other stakeholders to provide expert advice in line with European and international legal standards.
Project specific objectives
- On the basis of the Venice Commission’s opinions and recommendations, national authorities identify actions to improve their constitutions and legislation;
- National authorities increase their capacity and knowledge in the field of constitutional matters, electoral processes and practice as well as human rights mechanisms in accordance with relevant European and international standards.
Key achievements in Central Asia in 2024
- KYRGYZSTAN - Opinion on the draft law on the draft amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code concerning bail and videoconferencing in criminal proceedings - online meetings
Following a request by the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr Ayaz Baetov, made on 5 August 2024, on 16-17 September 2024, a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings with stakeholders in Kyrgyzstan within the context of the preparation of an opinion on the draft amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code concerning bail and videoconferencing in criminal proceedings.
The Venice Commission delegation met online with representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Ombudsman Institution, the Bar Association as well as with representatives of civil society organisations.
- KYRGYZSTAN – Country visit concerning Opinion on Law No. 72 amending the Law “On non-profit organisations”
On 18 September 2024, a delegation of the Venice Commission carried out a mission to Kyrgyzstan in the context of the preparation of an Opinion on Law No. 72 of 2 April 2024 amending the Law “On non-profit organisations”. The Venice Commission delegation met in Bishkek with the Minister of Justice and other officials of the Ministry of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman, the European Union Delegation to Kyrgyzstan, the Central Asia Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and representatives of civil society organisations.
The Opinion was adopted by the Venice Commission on 11 and 12 October 2024.
- 100th Anniversary of the judicial system of Kyrgyzstan
On 20 September 2024, the Vice-President of the Venice Commission, Ms Veronika Bilkova, participated in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the judicial system of the Kyrgyz Republic which was held in Bishkek and organised by the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Activities in 2025
- Kyrgyzstan – Opinion request
On 11-12 February 2025, a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings in preparation for the draft Opinion on the draft amendments to the Law on protection and defence from domestic violence and to the Code of Offences enhancing the protection of victims of domestic violence through the introduction of electronic monitoring of the offenders. This opinion was requested by the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The delegation engaged in discussions with the representatives of the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Ministry of Labor, Social Security and Migration of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Office of the Ombudsman (Akyikatchy), the Supreme Court of the Kyrgyz Republic, the Delegation of the European Union to Kyrgyzstan, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and civil society organisations.
The opinion was adopted by the Venice Commission on 14-15 March 2025.
- Kyrgyzstan – Opinion request
On 18-19 February 2025, a delegation of the Venice Commission held a series of online meetings in preparation for the draft Opinion on the draft amendments to the Code of Offences on the compulsory transfer of offenders in a state of intoxication for emergency drug treatment. This opinion was requested by the Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic.
The delegation exchanged views with the representatives of the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Health, the Office of the Ombudsman (Akyikatchy), the Bar Association, and with civil society.
The opinion was adopted by the Venice Commission on 14-15 March 2025.
- Meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic
The legal expertise provided at the request of the Kyrgyz authorities, the ways to address the Venice Commission recommendations and the improvement of the existing co-operation were discussed during the meeting of the Venice Commission Secretary, Director Simona Granata-Menghini, with a Kyrgyz Delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Edil Baisalov, on 31 March 2025 in Strasbourg.
The Deputy Prime Minister informed the Venice Commission Secretary of the on-going reforms and steps taken by the Kyrgyz authorities following the Venice Commission's opinions. Director Granata-Menghini welcomed the continuing interest of Kyrgyzstan in the Venice Commission's legal expertise, notably the opinions concerning the draft legislation on domestic violence and the Code of Offences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The Director confirmed the readiness of the Venice Commission to pursue dialogue with the Kyrgyz authorities with a view to facilitating the implementation of the recommendations.
As a next step, it was agreed that the follow-up to the Venice Commission opinions will be discussed during the high-level visit of the Commission’s representatives to the Kyrgyz Republic to be organised in the coming months.
- Uzbekistan - International Conference on “Constitutional and legal problems of modernising the system of representative authorities: international experience for Uzbekistan”
Ms Veronika Bílková, Vice-President of the Venice Commission, participated in the International Conference on “Constitutional and legal problems of modernising the system of representative authorities: international experience for Uzbekistan”, which was organised by the Institute of Legislation and Legal Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan in co-operation with the Constitutional Court and the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis. The event took place in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 17-18 April 2025.
Ms Bilkova delivered a speech on “Strengthening the Role of Political Parties in the Modernization of Representative authorities”. A number of bilateral meetings were organised.
- MONGOLIA – Request for an opinion
By letter dated 21 March 2025, the Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia, Mr Bayasgalan Gungaa, requested an opinion of the Venice Commission on the draft laws on the Constitutional Court and the Procedure of the Constitutional Court of Mongolia.
The opinion was adopted by the Venice Commission on 13-14 June 2025 at its 143rd Plenary Session.
On 5 May 2025, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Constitutional Court (Tsets) of Mongolia held a joint seminar on the legislative reform of the Constitutional Court and its procedure. The event took place at the National University of Mongolia. Participants included justices of the Constitutional and Supreme Courts of Mongolia, members of Parliament, representatives of the European Union, legal scholars, civil society representatives, and members of the Venice Commission.
The seminar focused on the draft Law on the Constitutional Court and the draft Law on the Constitutional Court Procedure. Topics addressed included the composition and independence of the Court, standards for constitutional adjudication, transparency, digitalisation, and access to justice.
European Commission for
Democracy through Law
