Newsroom
OSCE Centre to hold conference on Kazakhstan's prison system
ALMATY 27 April 2004
ALMATY, 27 April 2004 - The OSCE Centre in Almaty will host an international conference from 29 to 30 April in Almaty, aimed at improving Kazakhstan's penitentiary system.
"Kazakhstan has achieved significant results over the past years in reforming its penitentiary system and the implementation of alternative sentencing would continue this positive trend," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of Centre.
Although the prison population in Kazakhstan has recently fallen considerably, alternative sentencing has been recognised by the international community as a constructive mechanism in promoting penitentiary reform.
Practical aspects of expanding alternative sentencing, the role of non-governmental organizations in this process, and international standards in this field will be among the issues explored at the conference. A set of recommendations for further action is expected to be put together by participants.
The conference will be organized together with the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, Penal Reform International (PRI), and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law.
Penitentiary system representatives from Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, Tajikistan, the UK, and Uzbekistan are expected to participate.
Members of the press are invited to the opening session on at 10:00 on Thursday, 29 April 2004, at the Conference Hall, Alatau Sanatorium.
"Kazakhstan has achieved significant results over the past years in reforming its penitentiary system and the implementation of alternative sentencing would continue this positive trend," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of Centre.
Although the prison population in Kazakhstan has recently fallen considerably, alternative sentencing has been recognised by the international community as a constructive mechanism in promoting penitentiary reform.
Practical aspects of expanding alternative sentencing, the role of non-governmental organizations in this process, and international standards in this field will be among the issues explored at the conference. A set of recommendations for further action is expected to be put together by participants.
The conference will be organized together with the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, Penal Reform International (PRI), and the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law.
Penitentiary system representatives from Estonia, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Russia, Sweden, Tajikistan, the UK, and Uzbekistan are expected to participate.
Members of the press are invited to the opening session on at 10:00 on Thursday, 29 April 2004, at the Conference Hall, Alatau Sanatorium.