The absolute inadmissibility of torture is a fundamental principle of the modern rule of law, relevant to all countries of the world and enshrined in key international documents. Therefore, countering this negative phenomenon remains a priority area of the human rights institute's work.
As noted in the published special report, Kazakhstan has come a long way in the development of the torture prevention system: key recommendations of international bodies have been implemented, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has been established and is functioning effectively, legislation and institutional mechanisms have been improved. An analysis of foreign experience has shown that the measures taken have allowed our country to take its rightful place in the system of countering torture.
Those who commit torture cannot escape responsibility due to the expiration of the statute of limitations, reconcile, amnesty and parole are not applied to them, they are sentenced only to real terms of imprisonment, not probation. All this confirms the ongoing policy of «zero tolerance» towards torture.
To eliminate corporate solidarity in the penitentiary system, the investigation of torture cases has been transferred to the prosecutor's office, and medical care for prisoners has been transferred to the Ministry of Health. Continuous video surveillance has been introduced in all prisons, which is accessed in real time not only by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but also by the supervisory authority. Terminals for filing complaints have been installed in all institutions, which are currently undergoing another stage of modernization.
The appearance of representatives of the Ombudsman has played a significant role in strengthening the prevention of torture. While NPM participants monitor over 400 closed institutions annually, regional representatives monitor twice as many. The Commissioner personally visits an average of one institution per month.
The implementation of the principle of the inevitability of punishment for torture led to a sharp increase in the number of those brought to justice at the first stage: in 2023 alone, twice as many people were convicted of torture as in the previous two years combined.
The preventive effect of increased responsibility has affected the overall situation over time: in 2025, the registration of torture in the country decreased by 61% compared to a year earlier, the number of dismissed cases increased 2.5 times, and those convicted doubled.
The special report provides a comprehensive analysis of international standards, national legislation, judicial and investigative practice, as well as mechanisms for the prevention, detection and investigation of abuse.
Despite the serious change in the situation with the prevention of torture, the Commissioner's institute has developed a set of recommendations aimed at further improving public policy, strengthening institutional guarantees and improving the effectiveness of mechanisms for protecting citizens' rights.