OSCE Programme Office holds high-level roundtable discussion on criminal justice
AK-BULAK, Kazakhstan, 12 March 2015 – An OSCE-supported roundtable discussion on the application of new Criminal Procedure Code of Kazakhstan and major areas of criminal justice modernization began today in Ak-Bulak near Almaty, Kazakhstan.
The two-day event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Constitutional Council, the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan and the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) with the support of German Foundation for International Legal Co-operation. It brought together some 60 high-level officials from governmental institutions, the Constitutional Council, the Supreme Court and the Presidential Administration as well as parliamentarians, representatives of non-governmental organizations, academia and the Bar Association as well as national and international legal experts from Armenia, Germany and Latvia.
The discussion focused on the most important legal developments related to the implementation of the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes, which entered into force as of 1 January, 2015. Participants reviewed some of the key novelties of current criminal procedure reform, including the simplification and efficiency of pre-trial criminal procedures, the role of state prosecution and measures to be taken by law enforcement agencies in applying legislative provisions, strengthening fair-trial mechanisms and regulations in the area of forensic enquiry. Particular attention was paid to legal safeguards for minors and juvenile justice development in the context of the ongoing criminal justice reform.
“It is very important to find a balance between the interests of the investigation, prosecution and defence and to ensure in practice the effectiveness of the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code in line with international standards and best practices,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the Programme Office in Astana. She also noted that transparency of criminal justice system and professional competence of law enforcement officers, judges and defence lawyers are key elements for enhancing citizens' trust to the governmental institutions, reducing the conflict potential in society and preventing crimes.
Igor Rogov, Chairman of The Constitutional Council of Kazakhstan said: “In accordance with the objectives of the Legal Policy Concept for 2010-2020, the major achievements of national legal science and the best international practices were used in the process of adoption and development of a new Criminal Procedure Code, as well as certain approaches to renew criminal policy. The ongoing modernization of the criminal justice system in Kazakhstan will strengthen the rule of law and contribute to better protection of the rights and freedoms of its citizens.”
Security Council Secretary Nurlan Ermekbayev said: “The ongoing reform of the criminal justice system has updated the entire legal framework that regulates the work of the courts, law enforcement agencies and other parties to the criminal process. The new codes are designed to support the fight against crime in a fast and effective manner. The introduction of new criminal procedure institutions will promote the adversarial principle and openness in criminal proceedings.”
The event is part of the Programme Office’s long-term efforts to support the host country’s efforts to reform its criminal legislation in a constructive and all-inclusive dialogue with civil society.