OSCE/ODIHR regional roundtable supports development of efficient criminal legal aid mechanisms in Central Asia

Representatives of ministries of justice, working groups on legal aid laws and the judiciary, as well as members of bar associations, international organizations and civil society organizations in Central Asia exchanged their views on the latest developments in legislation on criminal legal aid during a roundtable event held in Bishkek on 15 and16 May 2013.

The Regional Expert Roundtable on Legal Aid in Criminal Proceedings in Central Asia was organized by OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), in co-operation with the OSCE field operations in Central Asia and the UN OHCHR Regional Office for Central Asia. It brought together 35 participants who had an opportunity to further familiarize themselves with existing models and to share experiences in developing legal aid complaint mechanisms in line with international standards and OSCE commitments.

“The availability of efficient and professional legal assistance in criminal proceedings is a key aspect of the right to a fair trial, as it is crucial that indigent and other vulnerable individuals have access to justice,” said Benjamin Moreau, Chief of the ODIHR Rule of Law Unit.

“Access to legal aid should be seen as a key parameter in assessing the efficiency of judicial systems in democratic societies,” said Ambassador Sergey Kapinos, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Bishkek said. “The fact that each of the OSCE participating States in Central Asia was represented at the event is a strong sign of interest in the topic, and of its regional significance.”

“Despite the fact that the law on state legal aid entered into force in 2009 and that the Parliament annually allocates a budget for its implementation, a number of issues remain to be addressed,” said Daniyar Terbishaliev, a Member of Parliament from Kyrgyzstan. “For instance, there is a need to further develop secondary legislation to ensure that a functioning pro bono system of legal aid is in place.”