OSCE Centre in Astana launches series of seminars on international standards and practices for combating torture

KARAGANDA, Kazakhstan, 29 March 2010 - A seminar supported by the OSCE Centre in Astana aimed at raising law-enforcement bodies' awareness of international standards regarding torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment opened in Karaganda today.

The event is part of a series of trainings on international standards and practices for combating torture. It brought together some 30 participants from the regional Prosecutor's Offices', the Interior Ministry, the Committee of National Security, the Agency for Combating Economic Crimes and Corruption, and the Prison Committee under the Justice Ministry.

"Torture is a serious violation of human rights and is strictly prohibited by international law and under the OSCE commitments," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre, in welcoming remarks sent from Astana. "Further raising awareness among mid-level officials of law-enforcement bodies is crucial for the prevention of torture."

During the two-day seminar, experts from Penal Reform International and the OSCE will discuss international anti-torture standards and practice in the context of Kazakhstan's national legislation.

The trainers will share their experiences in investigating torture cases and with national monitoring mechanisms of detention facilities. The seminar will also cover the UN Committee against Torture's recommendations given to Kazakhstan upon submission of the second periodic report, as well as observations from the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, who visited Kazakhstan last year.

The seminar was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and Penal Reform International in Central Asia. Similar seminars will be held in Stepnogorsk, central Kazakhstan, and in Aktubinsk, western Kazakhstan.