Newsroom
OSCE promotes more effective fight against crime with guide to conducting investigations
ASTANA 21 November 2007
ASTANA, 21 November 2007 - As part of ongoing human dimension activities, the new Russian-language version of an OSCE-wide guide on conducting criminal investigations was presented today in Kazakhstan at a roundtable meeting held under the auspices of the OSCE Spanish Chairmanship, with organizational support from the OSCE Centre in Astana.
The Reference Guide to Criminal Procedures serves as a tool for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges and defense lawyers in conducting criminal investigations, trial and post-trial proceedings while maintaining a balance between security concerns and human rights.
At the roundtable meeting, over 30 lawyers and representatives from the judiciary, law-enforcement agencies and NGOs discussed relevant international standards and their domestic application together with a leading Spanish judge in the field, Carlos Almela, and representatives of international organizations.
"The procedures used by the police, prosecutors and judges are instrumental in combating crime successfully while respecting human rights," said Almela. "I hope that this Guide will help administrators of justice in the OSCE area to further develop good practices while investigating, prosecuting and trying criminal activities."
"The cooperation established between the government agencies of Kazakhstan and OSCE structures, in particular, the OSCE Centre in Astana, in the legal area has been very successful and effective. The Reference Guide preparation can be regarded as another stage in such joint endeavors," said Igor Rogov, the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, who also participated in the event.
"I believe that this guide will be helpful for lawmakers, representatives of law enforcement and judiciary agencies, practicing lawyers, academics and for all who are interested in criminal policy issues."
The Guide was produced in 2006 by a team of leading judges, prosecutors and other experts from, Belgium, Finland, France, Russian Federation, Spain and the United Kingdom, in co-operation with the 2006 Belgian OSCE Chairmanship. In 2007, the Spanish Chairmanship decided to make it available to a wider audience by translating it into Russian. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit also contributed to the compilation and distribution of the Guide.
The Reference Guide to Criminal Procedures serves as a tool for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges and defense lawyers in conducting criminal investigations, trial and post-trial proceedings while maintaining a balance between security concerns and human rights.
At the roundtable meeting, over 30 lawyers and representatives from the judiciary, law-enforcement agencies and NGOs discussed relevant international standards and their domestic application together with a leading Spanish judge in the field, Carlos Almela, and representatives of international organizations.
"The procedures used by the police, prosecutors and judges are instrumental in combating crime successfully while respecting human rights," said Almela. "I hope that this Guide will help administrators of justice in the OSCE area to further develop good practices while investigating, prosecuting and trying criminal activities."
"The cooperation established between the government agencies of Kazakhstan and OSCE structures, in particular, the OSCE Centre in Astana, in the legal area has been very successful and effective. The Reference Guide preparation can be regarded as another stage in such joint endeavors," said Igor Rogov, the Chairman of the Constitutional Council, who also participated in the event.
"I believe that this guide will be helpful for lawmakers, representatives of law enforcement and judiciary agencies, practicing lawyers, academics and for all who are interested in criminal policy issues."
The Guide was produced in 2006 by a team of leading judges, prosecutors and other experts from, Belgium, Finland, France, Russian Federation, Spain and the United Kingdom, in co-operation with the 2006 Belgian OSCE Chairmanship. In 2007, the Spanish Chairmanship decided to make it available to a wider audience by translating it into Russian. The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and the OSCE Strategic Police Matters Unit also contributed to the compilation and distribution of the Guide.