MSI began implementing the Kyrgyzstan Strengthening the Capacity of the Parliament Project in December 2006. During that time, Parliament was widely seen as a major driver of political change. Unfortunately, in October 2007, the President dissolved the Parliament to consolidate his power. A new constitution was written, and new parliamentary elections were called. All parliamentary seats were won by the President’s party, and the role of parliament as a harbinger of change quickly diminished.

Despite an increasingly difficulty environment, the project continued to implement major activities to achieve its three main objectives:

1. To improve the parliament’s capacity for legislation and oversight of government;

2. To increase the technical and research resources available to Members of Parliament (MP); and

3. To enhance the transparency of the activities of Parliament and its public outreach work.

The project worked with key players and stakeholders in the new parliament, including Deputy Kurmanov, Deputy Sabirov and Deputy Sydykova, who are chairpersons of three major committees. It completed work on the following objectives over the course of the year:

• Support training of new parliamentarians and their staff;
• Improve cooperation between the parliamentary staff and outside experts;
• Support and participate in the discussion of the rules of the Parliament, proposing that the rules protect the rights of minority parties, and increase the authority and competence of committees;
• Work on the development of a parliamentary code of ethics, to address issues of implementation and enforcement.
• Support the restructuring of the Parliament, and of its apparatus, following the introduction of the party-list system and the planned increased role for committees; and
• Support for increased parliamentary oversight of the implementation of law, and the drafting of new legislation on this topic.

Overall, despite a difficult environment, the capacity of parliamentary committees to investigate, draft and amend bills has been consequently increased. The project ended in July 2008.

Search our Career's Page to learn more about job opportunities in Krygyzstan.