International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

In 1997, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 26 as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Kazakhstan ratified the Convention against Torture in 1998 and is striving to eradicate this occurrence.

The implementation of the provisions of the Convention is a fundamentally important guideline for the further development of institutions that offer legal protection in Kazakhstan.

In the program "Just Kazakhstan – for everyone and for each person. Now and always," the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, emphasized the protection of citizens' rights. He focused on taking measures to prevent torture and other illegal methods of investigation that degrade human dignity and harm the wellbeing of citizens.

In order to implement the course outlined by the President, a set of measures was adopted in the sphere of criminal law aimed at ensuring "zero tolerance" for torture.

Since January 1 of this year, the exclusive jurisdiction in cases of torture has been assigned to the prosecutor's office.

The "death penalty" was excluded from the Constitution of the country.

Article 146 of the Criminal Code was amended to outline liability for cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment.

A new subject has been added to the list of subjects of torture and ill-treatment - “a person acting in an official capacity."

The punishment for committing torture has been tightened, with an increase in the maximum term to 12 years in prison.

Now, suspended sentences cannot be applied to those convicted of torture. Amnesty and the statute of limitations do not apply to these persons. Their reconciliation with the victim also does not exempt them from criminal liability.

It is ensured that a victim of torture has the right to receive legal assistance and access to social, medical and psychological services.

In this regard, crisis centers are operating in all regions of the country.

A Compensation Fund for Victims has been established, which provides compensation, including to victims of torture, human trafficking and other types.

In pursuance of the President's instructions on continuous video surveillance in law enforcement agencies and penitentiary institutions, 6,159 blind spots and 937 faulty video surveillance cameras were identified.

In addition, the order of the Minister of Internal Affairs establishes personal responsibility of the senior leadership for the unjustified arrest and detention of citizens, as well as for enabling torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.

 

 

Press Service of the Prosecutor General's Office