OSCE promotes rule of law in Kazakhstan
Current challenges and solutions for the ensuring the rule of law topped the agenda of this year’s annual Shaikenov Readings, which took the form of an OSCE-supported international conference on 15 June 2018 in Astana.
The event, named in honour of Nagashbay Shaikenov, former Minister of Justice and one of the most prominent legal scholars and state figures in the modern history of Kazakhstan, was dedicated to the 25th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Legislation Institute.
Some 150 high-level government officials, parliamentarians, legal practitioners, and representatives of academia, international organizations and NGOs discussed a wide range of issues related to importance and role of the rule of law in the administration of justice. They reviewed existing practice in relation to the execution of administrative acts, and the improvement of Criminal Code provisions on responsibility for environmental criminal offenses. The development of legal education and legal expertise were also discussed.
Legal experts from Belarus, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Federation presented their perspectives on the development of the rule of law in the so-called digital era, as well as the existing trends in reforming administrative, commercial and family law in their countries.
Separate sections of the conference were devoted to the role of the public in the legislative process, as well as to enhancing the effectiveness of public law branches, such as the implementation of international criminal law norms in national legislation.
The event 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.