OSCE encourages discussion on human rights in Kazakhstan

SHYMKENT, Kazakhstan, 8 November, 2013 – The last in a series of OSCE-supported roundtable discussions focused on the annual report on the state of human rights and a special report on migrants’ rights in Kazakhstan took place today in Shymkent, southern Kazakhstan.

The reports were prepared by a working group of governmental and civil society experts under the auspices of the National Human Rights Commission, under the President of Kazakhstan, with the support of the OSCE Centre in Astana, the British Embassy and the International Organization for Migration.

Based on analysis of the national legislation and law enforcement practices, they provide recommendations on how the human rights situation, including the rights of migrants in Kazakhstan, can be advanced. Over a series of events in Astana, Almaty, and today in Shymkent, a total of 340 representatives were brought together from parliament, government, local administrations, human rights NGOs, the diplomatic community, mass media and university teachers and students.

“As an OSCE participant and party to key international conventions, Kazakhstan has committed itself to ensuring human rights for all citizens,” said Ambassador Natalya Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “The reports reflect progress and challenges in this field and are useful instruments for making further progress in the areas of the observance of civil rights and freedoms, in accordance with the OSCE principles and commitments.” Tastemir Abishev, the Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, said: “We hope that our recommendations will help the government and civil society join efforts to further promote and protect human rights, including rights of vulnerable groups, to the benefit of our society.”

The OSCE Centre also facilitated the translation and publication of both reports in Russian, Kazakh and English languages.

While in Shymkent, the Head of Centre also met with local authorities, NGOs and spoke at the M. Auezov South-Kazakhstan State University about the OSCE principles and values and the Centre’s activities. She also visited the Aarhus Centre established with the support of the OSCE Centre in Astana in order to promote the Aarhus Convention in Kazakhstan