Family institution, legal education and peaceful assembly: what initiatives should we expect from the Ombudsman in 2024?

The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan has presented a plan of activities for 2024, which includes about 120 events aimed at legal education and discussion of topical issues in the field of human rights.

There will be a special focus on educating society on the observance of rights and freedoms, promoting initiatives in the area of domestic violence, the national preventive mechanism, the rights of persons with disabilities, and so on.

In addition, this year the work of the Office of the Ombudsman will focus on strengthening international collaboration - an international forum on regional women's security is expected to be held.

At the beginning of the year, Ombudsman will also submit proposals to tighten legislation on domestic violence, establish liability for sexual harassment and combat discrimination in the labour sphere.

"By the 30th anniversary of International Family Day, we plan to complete a comprehensive study of the development of the institution of the family in Kazakhstan, through a human rights lens. It will separately cover the issues of combating domestic violence. A package of recommendations on further promotion of the rights of women, children and victims of domestic violence has already been developed, which can be systematised in the Special Report", - said the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan Artur Lastaev.

These recommendations primarily concern the comprehensive prevention of offences in the family and domestic sphere, appropriate responsibility for domestic violence, issues of rehabilitation and resocialisation, and the elimination of gender gaps in family, economic and political institutions.

The Office of the Ombudsman intends to make proposals on such issues as consolidating the status of regional commissioners for children's rights, improving inter-agency collaboration on peaceful assemblies, improving anti-discrimination legislation and many others.

We would like to add that the Commissioner for Human Rights will continue to collaborate with international and regional organisations, as well as national human rights institutions in foreign countries. This area contributes to the protection and promotion of human rights at the global level and confirms the Ombudsman's Institute's commitment to international human rights standards.