A high-level Dialogue on Human rights and democratic reforms between Kazakhstan and the United States took place

Nur-Sultan, On April 11, 2022, the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Elvira Azimova, took part in a High-level Dialogue on Human Rights and Democratic Reforms between Kazakhstan and the United States.

The dialogue was chaired by the Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan - Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Cooperation Yerzhan Kazykhan and US Undersecretary of State for Civil Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zey.

Elvira Azimova spoke about the measures taken by the National Human Rights Institute on citizens' complaints about human rights violations in connection with the January events. She noted the role of lawyers and human rights defenders, public commissions created on the initiative of a group of lawyers. The Ombudsman highlighted the importance of effective investigation of cases of the use of illegal methods of investigation and cases of mass riots, taking into account their results when developing proposals to improve criminal legislation. Another issue that the Ombudsman drew attention to was the strengthening of the zero-tolerance policy for violence against women and children, and interdepartmental coordination to prevent such violations.

«It should also be noted the special humanitarian mission of Kazakhstani women in promoting the UN Agenda «Women, Peace, and Security» in connection with the January events. Almost 50% of the participants of the National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture are women» the Ombudsman added.

Earlier, on December 24, 2021, the Government supported the proposals of the Commissioner for Human Rights and non-governmental organizations. The Government has approved a Plan of measures to implement Security Council resolutions on the «Women, Peace, and Security» Agenda.

At the end of the Dialogue, the participants reached an agreement on further cooperation within the framework of regional and multilateral formats, the continuation of an expanded strategic partnership between the two countries on civil security, democracy, and human rights.