OSCE supports National Preventive Mechanism against Torture in Kazakhstan

The second OSCE-supported international forum on the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture (NPM) concluded on 27 April 2018 in Astana.

The two-day event gathered some 150 high-level government officials, parliamentarians, the Commissioner for Human Rights, as well as local and international legal experts and NPM participants from across the country. Ombudspersons from Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also took part.

Participants focused on co-operation between National Human Rights Institutions and NPM officials. They discussed issues related to improving the activities of the NPM such as the preparation of qualitative analytical reports on the results of preventive visits, the safety and protection of NPM monitors, as well as international standards and practices for preventing torture and ill-treatment towards juveniles. NPM participants presented their consolidated report on the results of preventive visits conducted in Kazakhstan in 2017 with recommendations to relevant state bodies.

Experts from New Zealand and Slovenia shared their experiences and best practices on how to effectively implement the mandate of the NPM and follow its recommendations. A separate meeting of the heads of the National Human Rights Institutions of Central Asia was also held as part of the Forum, where regional co-operation on torture prevention was discussed.

The event was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Kazakhstan and the Regional Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, with support from the Penal Reform International Office in Central Asia and the European Union/Council of Europe Joint Programme on improving the justice system in Kazakhstan.

The Forum was part of the Programme Office’s long-term efforts to support the NPM in the host country and Kazakhstan’s implementation of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.