Legal system development in focus at OSCE-supported conference in Astana
ASTANA, 30 May 2014 – Current trends and challenges in the ongoing process of reforming legislation in Kazakhstan are the main topics of an OSCE-supported conference, organized by the Legislation Institute of the Justice Ministry, which opened today in Astana.
Some 90 high-level government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of academia, non-governmental and international organizations, local legal practitioners and legal experts will discuss a wide range of issues related to the development and implementation of legal acts in Kazakhstan. These include criminal and criminal procedure codes and administrative, labour and civil procedure laws. Special attention will be given to the legal system development in light of the 2010-2020 Concept of Legal Policy of Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstan-2050 Strategy.
Zauresh Baimoldina, Kazakhstan’s Justice Deputy Minister said: “Current legal reform is one of the most important objectives in fostering the successful development of society. In our national legislation reform efforts we should strictly adhere to the principles of the Constitution. In this process, the quality and the content of legal acts are of paramount importance.”
“Successful implementation of the strategic development programmes in every country requires proper legislative support. In this regard, effective legislation is one of the cornerstones of the political, economic and social development of any country,” said Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “The OSCE Centre within its mandate has consistently supported discussions on transparency and quality of the law-making process in Kazakhstan.”
The conference was dedicated to the memory of Nagashbay Shaikenov, a former Justice Minister and one of the most prominent legal scholars in the modern history of Kazakhstan. Organizers plan to support future events under the name “Shaikenov Readings” in his honour.
The conference is part of the Centre’s long-term activities in supporting the process of legal system reform in Kazakhstan.