On the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Treaties

Nur-Sultan, June 24, 2021 – The 22nd meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission on International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Treaties was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

It was stressed that the initiatives of the Head of State, set out in the State of the Nation Address and specified at the fifth meeting of the National Council of Public Trust in February 2021, directly affect Kazakhstan's international obligations in the field of human rights and directly correspond to the mandate of the Interdepartmental Commission.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the process of implementing Kazakhstan's international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.

As part of the improvement of the national human rights system, the participants noted the signing of the Presidential Decree "On further measures in the field of human rights" of June 9, 2021. In this regard, the Government of Kazakhstan has prepared a Plan of Priority Measures in the Field of Human Rights, which envisages the practical measures to improve the mechanisms of interaction with the UN treaty bodies and special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council, ensuring the rights of victims of human trafficking and the rights of citizens with disabilities, elimination of discrimination against women, the right to freedom of expression, interaction with non-governmental organizations, etc.

Noting the importance of cooperation with the UN in such an important area as the protection of human rights, the members of the Interdepartmental Commission agreed to coordinate joint efforts to fulfill the international obligations assumed by Kazakhstan in the field of fundamental human rights and freedoms.