Weird But True

Kyrgyzstan can’t find its constitution

Kyrgyzstan is in the throes of a constitutional crisis – after losing its constitution.

During a debate about planned changes to the law, politicians in the central Asian country suddenly realized they had no clue where the document was, the Independent reported.

“We assumed that it was with the Justice Ministry. Now the minister is confirming that there is no original. That raises the question: where is the original?” said Moldakun Abdyldayev, the presidential administration’s liaison to parliament.

But Justice Minister Jyldyz Mambetalieva said her office only had a copy of the 2010 constitution — but that the original was held by the presidential administration.

The most recent version of the prized document was approved by referendum in June 2010, when changes were made to give parliament more authority and less power to the president.

Parliament members debating whether to hold another referendum on changes to the constitution asked this week where it was.

Some political commentators believe the missing constitution was meant to distract the population while changes were mulled on changes to basic law in the country.

In 2010, the parliament was ransacked during a revolution than overthrew Kurmanbek Bakiyev from the presidency.

Farid Niyazov, head of President Almazbek Atambayev’s administration, told the 24.kg news agency that there might not even be a master copy of the constitution, which he believes was never even signed.

“In any other country, of course, after the announcement of a public vote, the head of state should endorse the approved text,” he said. “But it so happens that this text has no signature.”

Interim government member Omurbek Tekebayev, who opposes the proposed amendments, told local media that the whereabouts of the original copy of the constitution was of little consequence because the text was published in official newspapers.