Ombudsman and representatives of international public organizations discussed human rights protection issues

On 8 April, the Ombudsman, Artur Lastayev, met with a member of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, a member of the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Victor Zacharias.

The Ombudsman described the main reforms in the field of human rights protection in Kazakhstan in recent years:

-Since January 2023, cases of torture were transferred to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Procurator’s Office;

-The penalty for torture was increased to 12 years;

-Criminalization of ill-treatment.

In addition, an electronic clinical protocol has been introduced for doctors to record primary evidence of torture, measures have been taken to cover 100 per cent of the "blind areas" in penal correction system facilities, all of which are equipped with electronic terminals for the submission of complaints by convicted persons.

The Ombudsman also noted that there are 3,764 organizations and institutions of concern to the NPM in Kazakhstan. In 2023,461 preventive visits were carried out by members of the national preventive mechanism, on the basis of which more than 3,000 recommendations were addressed to the competent bodies. The office of the Ombudsman and its representatives received 5,800 complaints in 2023, which is three times more than in the past two years.

The meeting also discussed the implementation of human rights obligations, including under the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

1. Zacharia shared practical experience in the field of countering torture.

At the end of the meetings, the parties expressed their readiness to provide technical support for the holding of seminars and trainings by practising officials on combating torture and conducting peaceful assemblies. The parties expressed their appreciation for the informative and open dialogue and stressed the need to take measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation.