A deputy opposed the institutions of the Council of Lawyers under the Bar Association of the Kyrgyz Republic
At a meeting of the committee of the Jogorku Kenesh, which deals with issues of constitutional legislation and local self-government, the chairwoman of the Bar Association of the Kyrgyz Republic, Meil Begilerova, reported that in 2024, 3,600 lawyers were registered in the country, but today their number has decreased to 2,223.
According to Begilerova, a study conducted in 2024 found that 996 licensed lawyers who were not members of the Bar Association were checked. Of these, 756 lost their licenses. Additionally, about 500 lawyers who were members of the Bar Association and had not paid their membership fees faced license suspensions. These measures, according to Begilerova, are aimed at protecting the institution of the bar. She also noted that the membership fee was increased from 200 to 500 soms, as the previous amount did not cover the organization's needs.
Deputy Kubanychbek Samakov expressed dissatisfaction with the increase in fees and the revocation of licenses from a significant number of lawyers, questioning the salary of Begilerova and the activity of the Bar Association.
In response, Begilerova noted that the Bar Association is engaged in protecting lawyers, overseeing their professional training, and ensuring compliance with ethical standards. Her salary is 100,000 soms.
“Do you know how much a lawyer earns in Naryn or Ak-Talinsk? They earn 15,000–20,000 soms for participating in court sessions and at the same time have to pay you, while here the salary is 100,000, and it’s unclear what they are doing,” Samakov commented.
“If a person cannot afford to pay 500 soms a month, how can they be considered a lawyer and perform their job?” Begilerova retorted.
Samakov emphasized his position that the Ministry of Justice should be responsible for issuing and revoking licenses, and that an entity which collects fees and revokes licenses for non-payment should not exist if it does not ensure access to legal assistance for citizens.
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