OSCE Centre supports training seminar for judges on combatting trafficking in human beings

ASTANA, 4 February 2014 – An OSCE-supported training seminar to enhance the capacity of judges dealing with human trafficking cases by sharing good international practices began today in Astana.  

Some 35 regional court judges from across the country, graduate students of the Institute of Justice under the Academy of Public Administration and other civil servants will learn about forms of compensation in human trafficking cases within international practice and study specific cases. They will examine challenges related to the prosecution and prevention of human trafficking as well as to the protection of trafficked persons.

Supreme Court judges from Kazakhstan and Turkey, an expert from France and specialists from local non-governmental organizations will share their experiences with the participants.

“Promoting the rule of law and protecting human rights are the most effective strategies in preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings,” said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the Centre in Astana. “Effective criminal justice responses to human trafficking are an important tool in curtailing this form of modern-day slavery and in securing the victim’s rights.”

Serik Karzhaubayev, Deputy Director of the Academy of Public Administration, said: “Kazakhstan, like many other countries, faces this problem, including as a transit country for trafficked persons. Therefore, preventing and combatting trafficking in human beings is one of the main priorities of Kazakhstan’s policy. Improving justice in this sphere is an important part of it.”

The two-day seminar is the first of seven scheduled for this year as part of annual retraining courses for judges organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the Supreme Court, the Civil Service Academy and the U.S. Embassy in Kazakhstan.