OSCE Programme Office continues training judges on combating human trafficking

ASTANA, 4 February 2015 – The first in a series of six two-day training seminars for judges in 2015, on good legislative and judicial practices to combat trafficking in human beings began today in Astana.

The seminar was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, in co-operation with the Academy of Public Administration, the Supreme Court and the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan. National and international experts will acquaint some 30 high-level judges from the country’s regional courts with the ways to apply current national legislation and international legal tools to enhance the judicial protection of human trafficking victims.

Participants will address challenges in proving crimes related to trafficking in court, trends and practices used by courts to identify trafficking victims and international good practices on compensation mechanisms for victims of trafficking. A special emphasis will be placed on changes made in the new criminal and administrative justice codes regarding cases related to trafficking in human beings. They will also discuss ways to further enhance co-operation between law enforcement and judicial authorities and civil society.

“Reviewing judicial practices in criminal human trafficking cases is an effective way of enhancing the quality of judicial decisions,” said Deputy Director of the Institute of Justice of the Public Administration Academy Serik Karzhaubayev. “The seminars will significantly help improve judges to approach such crimes and avoid misconceptions.”

Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Ambassador Natalia Zarudna said: “The rule of law is a key element in ensuring effective investigation and punishment for crimes of this kind. The OSCE has been supporting Kazakhstan’s efforts to combat and prevent human trafficking by conducting training seminars aimed to improve professional skills in both criminal and administrative cases as well as to promote the provision of legal assistance to victims of cruel treatment.”

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s longstanding efforts to support the host country in combating human trafficking and in implementing the OSCE Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings.