OSCE Centre encourages dialogue on media legislation reform in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, 9 September 2013 – An OSCE-supported roundtable focusing on proposed amendments to Kazakhstan`s legislation on freedom of expression was held in Astana today.

The OSCE Centre in Astana co-organized the event together with Adil Soz International Foundation for the Protection of Freedom of Speech, the Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan, the Embassy of the Netherlands and International Freedom of Expression Exchange.

During the meeting, some 40 participants, including members of the Kazakhstan Parliament government officials, civil society representatives and media experts expressed their concerns about the segments of the draft legislation that regulate defamation, private life, journalists’ safety, citizens’ access to information, and legislative control of the Internet.

Presenting his comments to the draft Criminal and Administrative Offenses’ Codes, Dmitry Golovanov, Legal Expert of the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media said: “Despite the fact that both draft laws have significant potential enhancing protection of journalists’ professional work in Kazakhstan, some provisions require a substantial revision in order to meet international standards.”

“The legislation of the country, which embarked on the road to democracy, should take into account the importance of ensuring freedom of the media, free access to information as a human right and clearly regulate measures against violation of citizens’ rights,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, the Head of OSCE Centre.

“The right to freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution of Republic of Kazakhstan. While we developed together with civil society organizations a number of relevant laws, which are adopted, we hope that this joint initiative will further strengthen the co-operation between the government and the civil sector,” added Bolat Kalyanbekov, the Chairperson of the Information and Archives Committee within the Ministry of Culture and Information.

The roundtable in Astana is part of the Centre’s efforts to promote effective legislative reform and promote freedom of speech and expression in Kazakhstan.