Kazakhstan's draft migration law discussed at OSCE workshop in Astana

ASTANA, 29 October 2009 - Kazakhstan's draft migration law is the focus of an OSCE workshop on international standards on migration policy taking place in Astana today. 

The workshop was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the International Labour Organization, and brings together representatives of government, parliament and civil society, as well as international experts.

Opening the workshop, Jeanette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana, said, "Effective management of the migration process in the context of security calls for a multi-faceted and comprehensive approach that includes the development of a strong legislative base according to international standards and with regard for international best practices."

The basis for discussion was a legal opinion on Kazakhstan's draft migration law prepared by ODIHR at the request of the authorities of Kazakhstan. The opinion reviews the compatibility of the draft law with international law and the commitments of Kazakhstan in the field of migration. It makes a range of recommendations on how the law can be brought in compliance with international standards.

Kazakhstan's Minister of Labour and Social Protection Gulshara Abdykalykova stated, "The necessity to improve national legislation in the area of migration is dictated by the increase in migration streams, which is related to the fundamental directions of economic development of the country, the demographic policies being carried out, and the growing supply and demand on the domestic labour market."

Concerns discussed at the workshop included restrictions on movement within Kazakhstan, provisions for exit visas for persons wishing to leave the country permanently, lack of protection for migrant workers and provisions on the entry, residence, arrest and deportation of foreign citizens.

"The workshop served to highlight key principles that should be reflected in further revisions of the draft law, including the rights of non-citizens and general human rights protection for all migrants," said Marta Achler, the head of ODIHR's legislative support unit.

Participants at the workshop discussed good practices from other OSCE participating States that could serve as models for the elaboration of Kazakhstan's migration legislation.

The workshop is part of the OSCE Centre's efforts to support the government with improving labour migration management by strengthening legislation in line with international standards and enhancing national capacity in this area.