Kazakhstan reforms undertaking within the “Hearing State” concept were presented at OSCE

May 14^th, Vienna. In the framework of the discussion of the activities of the Bureau for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), political reforms and the work of the National Council of Public Confidence, initiated by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr.Kassym-Jomart Tokayev were presented during the meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council in order to implement the concept of a “Hearing State”. It was noted that work is currently ongoing in both houses of Parliament on the preparation of relevant laws on such issues as peaceful assemblies, the development of parliamentary pluralism and the decriminalization of defamation.

At an online meeting of the Permanent Council on May 14, 2020, reports were received by the Director of the ODIHR Ms.Ingibjörg Gísladóttir and the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, Ambassador John McGregor, who presented their reports on the work done over the past year and informed participating States on undertaking measures in lines of the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the OSCE, Ambassador Kairat Sarybay pointed out that government bodies and civil society of Kazakhstan work closely with the ODIHR in such areas as election observation, promoting the rule of law and democratization, tolerance and non-discrimination. He expressed support for the ODIHR's mandate to provide assistance and expertise to the OSCE participating States in these fields, noting that the development of these important issues has paid considerable attention from the Kazakh authorities.

In response to the report of the Head of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Uzbekistan, the delegation of Kazakhstan, emphasizing the new atmosphere of friendship and cooperation in Central Asia, welcomed the fruitful interaction of the OSCE field operations in Central Asia and expressed appreciation for attracting experts from Kazakhstan to events organized by the office of the Project Co-ordinator.

The OSCE participating States were informed about the joint measures of the Governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to eliminate the consequences of the man-made disaster at the Sardoba reservoir. Thus, it was emphasized that the Heads of Governments of two countries have given a start to building of a new microdistrict in Myrzakent village in Turkestan region for 500 families affected by flooding.

PM to Vienna