OSCE Centre organizes seminar on juvenile justice for regional prosecutors in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 24 May 2012 – A two-day OSCE-supported training course for Kazakhstani prosecutors on protecting the rights of children in conflict with the law, child victims and witnesses of crimes within the juvenile justice system began today in Astana.

Some 25 prosecutors from across Kazakhstan participated in the event to deepen their knowledge of dealing with juveniles in conflict with the law or involved in legal proceedings. The participants also learned about a child-rights-based approach to juvenile justice.

International experts shared their knowledge of standards, global experiences in administrating juvenile justice and techniques for interacting with minors involved in criminal or administrative court proceedings.

"The OSCE Centre welcomes the introduction of specialized juvenile courts in all of Kazakhstan’s regions and will actively support the Office of the General Prosecutor’s initiative to obtain the most up-to-date knowledge," said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana.

Serik Shokatayev, the Head of the Education Department of the Institute of the Prosecutor General, said: "An analysis of the current situation points to a need to improve the ways we work with juveniles. I believe such events will provide impetus for the further developing the juvenile justice system in Kazakhstan."

The seminar is being organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in close co-operation with the Prosecutor General’s Professional Training Institute and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).