OSCE Centre helps organize forum on human rights standards and security legislation in Kazakhstan

ALMATY, 20 April 2005 - Legislative initiatives in the field of national security and their compliance with international standards will be the focus of a forum in Astana on 22 April, which will bring together representatives of state and legal institutions, parliamentarians and civil society.

In view of security concerns in the region, it is important to promote a constructive dialogue between state authorities and civil society and assist governments in ensuring that national legislation is in compliance with international standards and OSCE commitments.

Amendments to legislation on national security are under consideration in the Majilis, the lower house of the parliament of Kazakhstan. Participants of the forum will be able to discuss them while they are still under review.

The forum is organized by the OSCE Centre in Almaty, the Commission for Human rights in the Office of the Kazakhstan President and the Delegation of the European Commission to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Media representatives are invited to attend the forum on from 10.00 to 13.30 on Friday, 22 April at the Conference hall of the Akku Hotel in Astana.