Deputy Chief of Staff of the President Almaz Raimbekov emphasized that the main goal of the bill is to simplify the process of obtaining a general civil passport for citizens of Kyrgyzstan who have not yet reached the age of 16.
According to current legislation, both parents' consent is required to issue a passport. This often creates difficulties, as one parent may be abroad or refuse to communicate and participate in the child's life. In such cases, the other parent has to go to court, which complicates the process, Raimbekov noted.
The government's proposal is to allow a child to obtain a passport based on the application of one parent.
Importantly, it remains a condition that for traveling abroad, the consent of both parents will still be mandatory. The official also noted that this rule applies exclusively to obtaining a passport, not to traveling.
It is important to note that the new provisions will not apply to minor citizens of Kyrgyzstan who are outside the country. For them, the consent of both parents is still required to obtain a passport.
In response to questions from deputies, Raimbekov added that the decision to maintain the existing rule is related to security considerations, as children abroad may face legal issues if a passport is issued based on the application of one parent.
Deputy Zhyldyz Sadyrbaeva criticized the bill, pointing out its inconsistency with existing norms regarding the travel of minors abroad. She noted that while the bill allows passports to be obtained with the consent of one parent, traveling outside the country still requires the consent of both.
"Thus, even if the child obtains a foreign passport, they will not be able to use it for travel, including participation in international competitions. It turns out that the passport will be issued, but there will be no real application. It is necessary to simplify the exit procedure and allow this with the consent of one parent," the deputy noted.
As a result of the voting, the committee members approved the bill in the first reading.
