OSCE human rights office ready to support Kazakhstan's preparations for 2010 chairmanship
ASTANA, 29 April 2009 - The OSCE's human rights office is ready to support Kazakhstan as it prepares for and conducts its 2010 OSCE Chairmanship, the director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Ambassador Janez Lenarcic, said during a visit to Astana that ended today.
"Taking over the OSCE's Chairmanship is an opportunity for Kazakhstan to demonstrate its achievements towards implementing the country's international commitments," said Lenarcic.
"But to lead a consensus-based organization of 56 participating States is also a great challenge. This task is made easier if Kazakhstan leads by example, which would include further progress in putting into practice the country's commitments in the field of human rights, democracy and the rule of law."
ODIHR has been working with the Kazakhstani authorities in areas such as electoral reform and the development of new freedom of religion legislation.
"We are ready to assist Kazakhstan in conducting a successful chairmanship, and encourage the authorities to make full use of ODIHR's recommendations in the country's reform efforts," Lenarcic said.
He said ODIHR's recommendations are based on the commitments all OSCE participating States have agreed to implement and which apply equally in all countries of the region.
During his visit, Lenarcic met Senate Chairman Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, Foreign Minister Marat Tazhin, the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, Maulen Ashimbaev, and Human Rights Commissioner Askar Shakirov, as well as representatives of the President's human rights commission, parliament, the central election commission and civil society.