Suspension of some NGOs discussed at the meeting of the Dialogue Platform on Human Dimension under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Suspension of some NGOs discussed at the meeting of the Dialogue Platform on Human Dimension under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Nur-Sultan, January 26, 2021 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan held the first online meeting of the “Dialogue Platform on Human Dimension” Consultative and Advisory Body (DPHM CAB) in 2021.

The event included Kazakh human rights NGOs, MPs of the Kazakh Parliament, Human Rights and Children's Rights Ombudspersons in Kazakhstan, representatives of the Human Rights Commission under the President of Kazakhstan, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional Council, relevant ministries, as well as international partners such as the UN Development Programme, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, OSCE, European Union, the US Embassy, USAID, and Penal Reform International.

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan Mukhtar Tileuberdi opened the meeting. He provided thorough information on the third package of political reforms initiated by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and systematic implementation of the declared course on political modernization.

The participants underlined the fruitful work of CAB in 2020. During the reporting period, the participants discussed a wide range of human rights issues including the development of recommendations for the reports of Kazakhstan on human rights protection. In addition, CAB adopted a Work Plan for 2021.

The participants considered the issues of the right to health in light of combating the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences. Deputy Chairperson of the Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Committee of the Ministry of Healthcare Zaure Akhmetova made a presentation in this regard. Furthermore, the working group of the children's rights protection NGOs presented the concept of the draft law on the Children’s Rights Ombudsperson prepared by its experts. Children’s Rights Ombudsperson in Kazakhstan, Aruzhan Sain, took an active part in the discussion of this issue.

Director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, Yevgeny Zhovtis, presented the information on suspension of some NGOs by the decision of the tax authorities of Kazakhstan. Following the discussion, CAB recommended these organizations to apply to the higher tax authorities and appeal the decision. Deputy Prime Minister Tileuberdi promised to take this issue under his control.

Discussions on each of the agenda items were traditionally open and constructive; specific proposals for further interaction between government authorities and NGOs on these issues were developed.