OSCE supports training seminar on human rights protection in Kazakhstan
SHYMKENT, Kazakhstan, 30 October 2015 - An OSCE-supported training seminar on mechanisms of human rights protection for government and law-enforcement bodies, civil society groups and judges concluded today in Shymkent, South Kazakhstan Region.
The three-day event was organized by the Human Rights Commission under the President with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana to promote a better understanding of the national and international mechanisms for human rights protection and how to more effectively use such mechanisms for local law-enforcement, judicial and government bodies.
The event brought together some 150 representatives of the Akimat administrations of the Tole Bi District, the city of Shymkent and the South Kazakhstan Region, judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and members of civil society. Participants discussed mechanisms of human rights protection, the role of different actors, including national and international human rights institutions and trade unions, mechanisms of resolution of labour and social conflicts, social partnerships and mechanisms for consideration of individual complaints by respective UN Committees.
A particular focus was placed on the role of the judicial system in the protection of the rights and freedoms of an individual and novelties in administrative, criminal and criminal executive legislation of Kazakhstan as well as the protection of rights of the victims and the accused in criminal proceedings.
“Training seminars on human rights, in particular on social and labour rights, are important not only for improving the overall legal culture, but also for preventing social and labour conflicts, especially in the current economic conditions,” said the Secretary of the Human Rights Commission, Tastemir Abishev.
The seminar is a follow-up to the OSCE-supported presentation of the Commission’s report on the human rights situation in Kazakhstan that took place on 20 October 2015.
“This seminar offers a platform for continuing the discussion on provisions and recommendations of the Commission’s Report at the local level,” said Sara Bonotti, the Human Dimension Officer at the OSCE Programme Office. She noted that the seminar represents an opportunity to promote co-operation between representatives of the local government, of law-enforcement agencies and civil society’s members.
The event is part of the Office’s long-term efforts to support national human rights institutions in promoting fundamental freedoms and international human rights in Kazakhstan.