OSCE supports seminar on public participation in law-making process in Kazakhstan

An OSCE-supported seminar on public participation in the law-making process took place on 30 November 2017 in Astana, Kazakhstan, bringing together 25 representatives of civil society, political parties, trade unions, local government authorities and the media.

The first session of the seminar was dedicated to the existing law-making process in Kazakhstan, covering the types, hierarchy and drafting requirements of different legislative acts, as well as the possibilities of public participation in the law-making process. Participants were then familiarized with the national and international standards of human rights protection, and analyzed the conditions for possible limitations on human rights.

The second part of the event focused on the ways of obtaining information on the law-making process in Kazakhstan and how public participation can be enhanced through public campaigns and media advocacy.

The seminar, led by national experts specializing in the right of public participation in state affairs, also included several practical exercises which honed participants’ skills in applying the newly-obtained knowledge.

Participants additionally had the opportunity to meet some parliamentary deputies who shared their past experience of liaising with civil society and offered recommendations on how to effectively and constructively participate in the law-making process.

The seminar is part of a series of OSCE-supported events aimed at enhancing the work of the parliament and strengthening its co-operation with civil society in the host country.