The amendments to the Code of Offenses and other legislative acts were presented at a meeting of the committee on international affairs, defense, security, and migration by Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Nurbek Abdieyev.
He noted that the aim of these changes is to eradicate aggressive begging in public places and on roads, which, in turn, should enhance road safety and protect vulnerable populations from exploitation. There has been a significant increase in such cases in Bishkek and Osh, and collecting money on the roads often leads to accidents and traffic incidents.
The developers of the draft law indicated that current legislation only indirectly addresses this issue and does not provide a comprehensive legal mechanism to combat aggressive begging.
The new draft law fills this gap by introducing clear accountability norms not only for the beggars themselves but also for the organizers of this "business." Among the proposed measures is the expulsion of foreign citizens who are caught begging repeatedly from the country.
Lawmakers have already approved these changes in the first reading.
