Fingerprint and genomic registration in Kazakhstan focus of OSCE-supported discussion

ASTANA, 18 November 2013 – A roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the draft law on fingerprint and genomic registration in Kazakhstan took place today in Astana.

The event brought together some 50 government officials, parliamentarians,  legal experts and academicians, as well as representatives of civil society. Participants discussed the advantages of fingerprint and genomic registration in countering different types of crime, technical aspects of introducing the law and its potential impact on the people in the country. Special attention was paid to the importance of due regard to the respect for human rights as well as potential problems with introducing such a system, including possible breaches in data security and false accusations.

“Law enforcement agencies are required to ensure timely and professional response to the emerging challenges and threats,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “But this should be done without compromising fundamental freedoms and human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Measures that violate international human rights standards would be counterproductive.”

“This bill has been drafted with due regard of international experience, and today’s event aims at promoting wide public discussion of the bill,” said Erlik Kenenbayev, Deputy Minister of the Interior. “Fingerprinting and genomic registration would improve our ability to identify victims of calamities and crimes as well as criminals themselves in order to better protect the rights and interests of our citizens.”

The roundtable discussion is part of the OSCE Centre’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and criminal justice institutions in Kazakhstan.