Kyrgyzstan’s Jogorku Kenesh (parliament) has approved a package of bills in the second and third readings, amending several legislative acts concerning the use of the state language, as reported by 24.kg.
The amendments mandate that deputies, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers, members of the Cabinet, judges of the Constitutional, Supreme, and local courts, prosecutors, and investigators must possess proficiency in the Kyrgyz language. This requirement also extends to employees of the National Bank, law enforcement officials, and national security personnel.
Furthermore, lawyers and notaries will be required to demonstrate an adequate level of Kyrgyz language proficiency to obtain licenses.
The initiatives also introduce modifications to the Law on Television and Radio Broadcasting, stipulating that at least 60 percent of total broadcasting content must be in the state language.
The bills also amend the Law on External Migration. A lack of proficiency in the state language, to the extent necessary for permanent residency in the country, may now serve as grounds for denying a residence permit. Foreign nationals will also be ineligible for immigrant status if they do not know the Kyrgyz language.
Advertising text prepared in the state language must be approved by the executive body of local self-government to ensure compliance with language legislation and orthography rules.
Violations or non-compliance with language legislation will result in a warning or a fine of 5,000 soms for individuals and 17,000 soms for legal entities. This provision excludes requirements established in regulatory legal acts concerning language proficiency for individuals.
The National Commission on the State Language and Language Policy is responsible for reviewing violations and issuing fines.