BISHKEK -- Kyrgyz human rights activist Aziza Abdyrasulova is urging Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev not to sign a new law on using the military for domestic purposes.
Abdyrasulova, chairwoman of the NGO Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century), told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that the law makes it possible to use the army, as Article 27 of the proposed law states, in "the restoration of domestic order."
The Kyrgyz parliament approved the bill in December and it will become law if Bakiev signs it.
Human rights activists and the Kyrgyz opposition fear that the law will make it legal to use the Kyrgyz Army to put down demonstrations.
The Kyrgyz Constitution prohibits the use of the army in domestic affairs.
Abdyrasulova, chairwoman of the NGO Kylym Shamy (Torch of the Century), told RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service that the law makes it possible to use the army, as Article 27 of the proposed law states, in "the restoration of domestic order."
The Kyrgyz parliament approved the bill in December and it will become law if Bakiev signs it.
Human rights activists and the Kyrgyz opposition fear that the law will make it legal to use the Kyrgyz Army to put down demonstrations.
The Kyrgyz Constitution prohibits the use of the army in domestic affairs.