The Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan presented the results of its activities for 2023

It became known that last year 150 complaints of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment were considered. At the same time, 148 criminal cases were initiated on the facts of torture.

The results of the work of the national preventive mechanism, an independent institution for visits to prevent torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, were also presented.

In 2023, 493 preventive visits to closed institutions were carried out. Based on the results of analysing the reports, more than 3,000 recommendations were sent, of which 33% were implemented and the rest are in the process of implementation.

"Active work is currently underway related to the prevention of torture and other cruel, degrading treatment and punishment. For example, the Rules for the operation of video surveillance systems in penitentiary institutions and police offices, as well as in all operational and investigative units of law enforcement agencies have been approved, criminal liability for ill-treatment has been introduced, and much more," said Saltanat Tursynbekova, head of the National Centre for Human Rights.