Freedom of expression on the Internet in focus of OSCE-supported annual Youth Legal Forum in Kazakhstan

The annual OSCE-supported Youth Legal Forum concluded on 10 December 2016 at the Kazakh Humanities and Law University (KAZGUU) in Astana. This year’s two-day event focused on the limits to restricting freedom of expression and distribution of information on the Internet, in recognition of the International Human Rights Day.

Organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in co-operation with KAZGUU University and the Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan, some 70 university students from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine as well as international and national legal experts, state officials, civil society representatives and academics discussed issues related to the freedom of speech online.

The event included a debate tournament among law students and an expert panel discussion. The competition encouraged the students to analyze current global challenges associated with the use of the Internet. They discussed how to protect the universal right to the freedom of expression while adhering to increasingly complex restrictions to the distribution of information via the Internet. These restrictions have been prompted by the concerns of governments over the threat of propaganda of war, hatred, terrorism or violent extremism.

“The Internet can pose a certain challenge for states across the world, as it is hardly possible to govern this borderless realm,” said the Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, Ambassador György Szabó. “However, the states should not forget about human rights and ensure that their legal systems provide for effective guarantees for the freedom of opinion and speech.” He noted that responses to the challenges associated with the Internet should be proportional and effective.

Talgat Narikbayev, rector of KAZGUU University said: “Today student teams defend their views regarding the maximum limits of freedom of expression and dissemination of information on the Internet, and I hope that this forum will be one of the best platforms to discuss challenging legal issues.”

This is the tenth year that the Programme Office has supported the Youth Legal Forum, which is part of the Office’s long-standing efforts to promote youth participation in decision-making processes.