OSCE promotes development of legal profession in Kazakhstan
An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the further development and reformation of the legal profession took place on 28 April 2017 in Astana.
The event brought together some 60 government officials, including the Minister of Justice, the Supreme Court, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Mazhilis (lower house) of the Parliament, local and international legal experts, as well as representatives of regional bar associations and international organizations.
Participants discussed the current trends and challenges in the development of the legal profession, as well as the role of the justice bodies in the regulation of legal bar activities. There was particular attention on the role of defence lawyers in protecting citizens’ rights and providing qualified legal assistance and guarantees of the legal profession in line with best international practices. The issues related to pro bono legal aid and the continuing education of lawyers, professional ethics and disciplinary actions were reviewed during the event. Experts from Georgia, Lithuania, Turkey and Ukraine shared experience related to the reformation of the bars in their countries.
Marat Beketaev, Kazakhstan’s Minister of Justice said: “For the reformation of the legal profession, it is important to ensure the continuing education of lawyers and to further develop legal aid on a pro bono basis. Further development of the profession also requires transparent management of finances.”
Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana György Szabó said: “The OSCE appreciates the willingness of Kazakhstan to further develop the system for the provision of qualified legal aid, in line with the national Legal Policy Concept and other strategic documents. We support the position outlined in the Concept that the procedural rights of defence lawyers require effective implementation mechanisms and welcome further steps in this direction.”
The event was co-organized by the Justice Ministry and the National Bar Association, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the World Bank, the Council of Europe and other donors. It is part of the Programme Office’s long-standing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and to support the development of the legal profession in the host country.