Kazakhstan joins Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty

NEW YORK, 23 September 2020 - At the UN headquarters, Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the UN Kairat Umarov signed the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights aimed at abolishing the death penalty.

Earlier that day, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the decision to join the international protocol on the abolition of death penalty in his speech at the general debates of the 75th session of the UN General Assembly. He emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to enforcing the fundamental right to life and human dignity.

In December 2019, as part of political reforms in the country, the President of Kazakhstan instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to begin the procedure for joining the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Signing this international document is a continuation of the course towards a gradual reduction of the application of death penalty and making criminal legislation more humane. The death penalty in the Republic of Kazakhstan was completely suspended by the Decree of the President of Kazakhstan on the introduction of a corresponding moratorium in 2003.