OSCE supports conference on rights of individual in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 16 March 2017 – Ensuring the rights of the individual and its impact on the rule of law were the focus of an OSCE-supported international conference in the framework of the annual so-called Shaikenov Readings, which took place today in Astana.

Some 90 government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of academia, non-governmental and international organizations, legal practitioners and national and international legal experts discussed a wide range of issues related to the theoretical and practical aspects of legislative protection of fundamental rights of the individual and ensuring the rule of law.

They discussed topical issues of constitutional law, political rights and human rights education in Kazakhstan. They also considered ways of protecting individual rights in the light of international norms and obligations and how these were translated into national legislation. Rustam Kasyanov, an expert from the Russian Federation presented comparative research on the integration of regional financial markets and its impact on human rights.

“Protection of human rights ensures the conditions for a decent life for each individual,” said Deputy Justice Minister Zauresh Baimoldina. “Constitutional guarantees for the full realization of individual rights are the most important prerequisites for the development of any state and key indicators of its success.”

György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: “Protecting an individual’s rights requires a painstaking implementation process. In this regard, we hope that today's conference will allow all present to collectively assess the status, problems and prospects for the protecting the interests of the individual and to identify ways of addressing challenges to his or her fundamental freedoms.”

The event, named of in honour of Nagashbay Shaikenov, one of the most prominent legal scholars and state figures in the modern history of Kazakhstan, commemorated the 70th anniversary of the scholar’s birth. It was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Justice Ministry’s Legislation Institute.

The conference is part of the Programme Office’s long-term activities in supporting the process of legal system reform in Kazakhstan.