OSCE Centre supports dialogue on Kazakhstan’s population registration legislation

ASTANA, 3 May 2012 – The challenges of developing a modern national population registration system were discussed today at a roundtable meeting jointly organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Fund for the Development of Parliamentarism in Kazakhstan.

Parliamentarians, government officials and representatives of political parties and civil society organizations exchanged views on legislation concerning population registration, discussed potential ways to improve the system, in particular those areas related to freedom of movement and the freedom to choose one’s place of residence, as well as human rights protection mechanisms that would contribute to more efficient management of migration processes in Kazakhstan. They elaborated recommendations for improving the national legal framework for population registration in line with international human rights standards.

“A registration system should comply with international human rights provisions and at the same time facilitate public services. By the same token, Kazakhstan’s residency registration system should not restrict, but rather protect, human rights and fundamental freedoms. Such protective mechanisms must be an integral part of the state system for population registration,” said Stefan Buchmayer, Human Dimension Officer of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

“The population registration system should serve as an effective mechanism to guarantee the fulfillment of freedom of movement and other rights. Access to justice, social care and other state services should not be strictly tied to one’s registered place of residence, but should rather be based on citizens’ needs.” said Zauresh Battalova, President of the Fund for the Development of Parliamentarism in Kazakhstan.

The event is a part of the Centre’s activities in support of Kazakhstan’s continuing legal reform programme.