OSCE facilitates implementation of National Preventive Mechanism against torture in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 19 November 2013 – The implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism Against Torture and Ill-treatment in Kazakhstan (NPM) was the focus of a two-day seminar that began today in Astana.

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the National Ombudsman Office, Penal Reform International, the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and UNICEF, with the support of the British Embassy. The seminar is the first event of this kind to be held this year to further assist government institutions and civil society organizations to institutionally establish the NPM. A second seminar will take place in Almaty on 29-30 November 2013.  

Recently-adopted legislation on the NPM establishes a system of regular visits by the National Ombudsman and representatives of civil society to detention facilities and special care homes. These visits are conducted to ensure torture and other cruel treatment or punishment is not taking place.

Some 60 people, including representatives of the National Ombudsman Office, human rights activists, and legal experts from Armenia and Kazakhstan, led a discussion on a wide range of various practical aspects of the NPM’s implementation.  In particular, they addressed the powers of the NPM Co-ordination Council, the selection of NPM members, recommendations for preventive visits and the monitoring of specialized facilities for children and disabled people.

“Establishing the National Preventive Mechanism in Kazakhstan is a progressive step towards improving the rights of those deprived of their liberty and human rights protection in general. With Kazakhstan embarking on a major reform of its criminal justice system, the NPM will contribute to a more effective implementation of ‘zero tolerance for torture’ policy pledged by Kazakhstan,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of OSCE Centre in Astana.

She called for sustained and comprehensive measures to eradicate torture and ill-treatment and encouraged civil society and the authorities to further deepen the dialogue on public oversight of detention facilities.

“We believe that the designation of the Ombudsman as a co-ordinator of the National Preventive Mechanism and the chosen “Ombudsman + NGOs” model will contribute to the prevention and eradication of torture.”, said Vyacheslav Kalyuzhnyi, Director of the Human Rights Centre (Ombudsman Office).

The seminar is part of the OSCE Centre’s efforts to assist government institutions and civil society organizations and promote the NPM.