European Parliament Strengthens Dialogue with Kazakhstan in the Field of Human Rights Protection

Strasbourg, 22-23 January 2025 – the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Artur Lastayev, made a regular visit to Strasbourg.

On the margins of the Plenary Session of the European Parliament, the Kazakh Ombudsman held separate meetings with the leadership of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), Mounir Satouri, Marta Temido, the Chairman of the Delegation of the European Parliament for Relations with Central Asia and Mongolia (DCAS) Giusi Princi, as well as with MEP Nacho Sánchez Amor.

The European politicians received up-to-date information on the adoption of the new Constitutional Law “On the Ombudsman for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, aimed at strengthening the competences of the Kazakh Ombudsman and increasing the effectiveness of its activities. They also expressed support for direct contacts with the National Centre for Human Rights in Kazakhstan.

The meetings discussed issues of expanding co-operation in the field of democracy and human rights protection within the framework of the 2015 Enhanced Partnership and Co-operation Agreement between Kazakhstan and the EU.

Particular attention was paid to measures to prevent domestic violence, including the adoption of the Law “On Counteracting Domestic Violence”, the expansion of political pluralism and the introduction of new mechanisms to protect the rights of vulnerable groups.

Meetings with MEPs in Strasbourg allowed Mr Lastayev to discuss a number of topical issues of co-operation in the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Kazakhstan.

The European interlocutors expressed interest in maintaining active ties to promote co-operation between Kazakhstan and the European Union on the human rights track and the development of civil society.