ILC114 - EU Statement - Committee on Application of Standards - Kyrgyzstan C.87
International Labour Conference
114th session
Geneva, 5 June 2026
Committee on Application of Standards
Kyrgyzstan
Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention,
1948 (No. 87)
Thank you Chair.
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.
The candidate countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Albania and Republic of Moldova as well as the EFTA country Norway, member of the European Economic Area, align themselves with this statement.
The EU and its Member States are committed to the respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights, including labour rights. We promote universal ratification and effective implementation of fundamental ILO Conventions and support the ILO’s role in developing and promoting international labour standards and supervising their application.
The EU remains committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan’s sustainable and inclusive development, in line with its National Development Strategy 2018–2040, the Global Gateway strategy and the EU Strategy for Central Asia.
The Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed in June 2024 marks an important step in EU - Kyrgyzstan relations, strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, employment and social affairs.
As a beneficiary of the EU’s GSP+, Kyrgyzstan is called to effectively implement the 27 international conventions underpinning the scheme, notably on human and labour rights, including ILO Convention No. 87.
We remain seriously concerned by the allegations mentioned by the Committee of Experts regarding interference in trade union affairs. These include reprisals against trade union leaders, defamation campaigns targeting independent unions, and allegations of support for so-called “yellow unions”. We also note with concern the Government’s acknowledgment of the illegally established city trade union in Bishkek and echo the Committee’s call to clarify its status.
Allegations raised by workers’ organisations also point to broader patterns of interference, including efforts to restructure trade unions, pressure to replace elected representatives, and extensive audits of trade union finances and activities that may undermine their autonomy.
We are particularly concerned by the reported arbitrary detention of trade unionists in November and December 2023, and by allegations that criminal proceedings, intimidation and threats of further arrests effectively paralysed the leadership of the Federation of Trade Unions of Kyrgyzstan.
We are also concerned by reported pressure on trade union leaders to resign, developments surrounding leadership changes within the Federation and its affiliates, and measures affecting trade union property, including the temporary transfer of health resort facilities to the Presidential Administration. Reports of far-reaching state scrutiny over trade union property and finances raise serious concerns about the independence of workers’ organisations and their ability to administer their affairs freely.
We further note with concern restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly, including court decisions limiting peaceful gatherings in central Bishkek since March 2022 and similar measures elsewhere. We recall that workers’ and employers’ organisations must be able to organise protest actions and certain political activities to defend the occupational interests of their members, free from undue interference.
We note the Government’s indication that the 1998 Law on Trade Unions remains in force. At the same time, we stress that any future legislative reforms must be developed in full consultation with the representative social partners and be fully consistent with Convention No. 87, ensuring that they do not permit interference in trade union structures, activities or property.
In light of these concerns, we urge the Government to provide comprehensive replies to the allegations raised, clarify the status of the unlawfully established union referenced by the Committee, and ensure that no administrative, judicial or criminal measures are used to undermine trade union independence.
We also call on the Government to guarantee, in law and in practice, that trade unions can freely elect their representatives, organise their activities, administer their resources and exercise their rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, without intimidation or fear of reprisals.
Finally, we encourage the Government to continue constructive engagement with the ILO and to make use of the Office’s technical assistance to ensure full compliance of law and practice with Convention No. 87.
The EU and its Member States will continue to follow the situation closely and remain committed to supporting the effective application of fundamental labour standards.
Thank you.
- ^ North Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.