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OSCE conference to focus on criminal justice reform in Kyrgyzstan
WARSAW/BISHKEK 20 January 2004
WARSAW/BISHKEK, 20 January 2004 - The reform of Kyrgyzstan's criminal justice system will top the agenda of an international conference taking place in the country's capital, Bishkek, from 22 to 24 January. The conference has been organized by the OSCE's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the OSCE Centre in Bishkek.
"There is a growing interest in moving away from the Soviet criminal justice system," says Ambassador Markus Müller, the Centre's Head. "By promoting an exchange of experience, we hope that the conference will encourage Kyrgyzstan to take further steps in a new and constructive direction regarding justice reform. We believe the themes presented are very relevant for Kyrgyzstan and stand a realistic chance of being adopted into law and practice."
Under the title "Criminal justice reform: problems, priorities, and perspectives for the Kyrgyz Republic", the three-day event will consider international standards in the field of criminal justice. It will pay particular attention to recent reforms of criminal procedure in the Russian Federation and to liberalizing measures such as the decriminalization of certain offences. Experts and officials from Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany and Kazakhstan will attend.
"This is a part of an ongoing OSCE/ODIHR project to assist the Kyrgyz Government to improve the criminal justice system and ensure better compliance with international human rights standards," says Cynthia Alkon, Head of the ODIHR's Rule of Law Unit.
The draft Criminal Code and draft Criminal Procedural Code of the Kyrgyz Republic will receive special consideration during the conference, as these must comply with the new Kyrgyz Constitution adopted last year, as well as with international standards. The OSCE/ODIHR will complete an assessment of these codes in Spring, and the Kyrgyz Parliament is expected to revise them by the end of 2004.
The conference is being held by the OSCE/ODIHR in partnership with the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic; the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic; and the United States Department of Justice Office for Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT). Financial support is provided by the governments of the Netherlands and the United States.
"There is a growing interest in moving away from the Soviet criminal justice system," says Ambassador Markus Müller, the Centre's Head. "By promoting an exchange of experience, we hope that the conference will encourage Kyrgyzstan to take further steps in a new and constructive direction regarding justice reform. We believe the themes presented are very relevant for Kyrgyzstan and stand a realistic chance of being adopted into law and practice."
Under the title "Criminal justice reform: problems, priorities, and perspectives for the Kyrgyz Republic", the three-day event will consider international standards in the field of criminal justice. It will pay particular attention to recent reforms of criminal procedure in the Russian Federation and to liberalizing measures such as the decriminalization of certain offences. Experts and officials from Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, the United States, Germany and Kazakhstan will attend.
"This is a part of an ongoing OSCE/ODIHR project to assist the Kyrgyz Government to improve the criminal justice system and ensure better compliance with international human rights standards," says Cynthia Alkon, Head of the ODIHR's Rule of Law Unit.
The draft Criminal Code and draft Criminal Procedural Code of the Kyrgyz Republic will receive special consideration during the conference, as these must comply with the new Kyrgyz Constitution adopted last year, as well as with international standards. The OSCE/ODIHR will complete an assessment of these codes in Spring, and the Kyrgyz Parliament is expected to revise them by the end of 2004.
The conference is being held by the OSCE/ODIHR in partnership with the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic; the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic; and the United States Department of Justice Office for Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT). Financial support is provided by the governments of the Netherlands and the United States.