OSCE Centre promotes openness of courts in Kazakhstan
ALMATY, 27 November 2006 - Improving the justice system in Kazakhstan through increasing the openness of courts was the main topic at an OSCE-organized roundtable meeting held today in Almaty.
Members of the Supreme Court, lawyers, judges and journalists discussed access to information on courts procedures, independence of courts, as well as the right of journalists to receive and distribute information about activities of courts.
"Press freedom and independence of judges as well as impartiality of the justice system are imperative for an open democratic society," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of OSCE Centre in Almaty.
The OSCE Centre organized the meeting together with the Union of Journalists and the Union of Judges of Kazakhstan. It will be followed by a one-day training session for press officers of regional courts.