Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Human Rights discussed cooperation issues with the European Union in Brussels
The working visit of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Ms. Elvira Azimova, to the capital of the European Union ended today.
During the visit, the Ombudswoman met with official representatives of the European Commission, the European Parliament, as well as with experts from various European institutions involved in the protection of human rights.
European politicians and diplomats received up-to-date information on the adoption of the new Constitutional Law “On the Commissioner for Human Rights”, aimed at strengthening the competence of Kazakhstan’s Ombudsman and increasing the efficiency of its further activities, and also spoke in support of direct contacts with the National Center of Kazakhstan for Human Rights.
At meetings with the EU Special Representatives for Human Rights Mr. Eamon Gilmore and for Central Asia Ms. Terhi Hakala, the parties exchanged views on expanding cooperation in the field of democracy and the protection of human rights based on the 2015 Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU.
Following a conversation with the Deputy Managing Director of the European External Action Service for the Eastern Partnership, Russia, the Caucasus and Central Asia, Mr. Luc Devigne, the parties identified priority projects aimed at strengthening the principles of the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
Issues of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU in the field of human rights were considered at a meeting with members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Sub-committee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Delegation for Cooperation with Central Asia and Mongolia (DCAS). An agreement was reached to hold additional online consultations with the DROI leadership and members on the ongoing reforms in Kazakhstan. According to Mr. Karsten Luke, MEP, the European Parliament is closely following the political reforms in Kazakhstan and highly appreciates Astana's position on topical international issues.
The meetings also discussed current measures to prevent domestic violence, including the introduction by the police of a risk assessment system to prevent relapse.
In addition, international cooperation in combating torture was discussed at a meeting of the Commissioner for Human Rights with experts from the International Partnership for Human Rights and the World Organization Against Torture.
The working visit of the Kazakh Ombudsman to Brussels made it possible to update the current cooperation agenda with European partners and discuss a number of prospective issues aimed at strengthening practical mechanisms for the protection of human rights in Kazakhstan. The European interlocutors expressed, in particular, their interest in intensifying cooperation with the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan in connection with the transfer of a new mandate to this state body from Kazakhstan’s law enforcement agencies to correct criminal law and criminal procedure-related legislation.