Media-related aspects of draft legislation focus of OSCE-supported parliamentary meeting in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 20 February 2014 – Media-related aspects of the draft criminal code and code on administrative offences were among the topics addressed today at an OSCE-supported expert meeting in the Mazhilis, the lower chamber of parliament of Kazakhstan.

The meeting was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana in co-operation with the Legislative and Judicial Reform Committee of the Mazhilis and the non-governmental organization Internews Kazakhstan.

Some 50 participants, including members of parliamentary working groups preparing the second reading of the revised criminal and administrative offense codes, local and international media experts, representatives of government, NGOs and academia as well as journalists took part in the meeting. They examined the draft legislation in terms of the scope of liability for defamation and slander, the protection of journalists and sanctions for administrative offenses committed by media outlets. 

“Freedom of expression is a cornerstone for democracy. It cannot be achieved without ensuring media independence, freedom of exchange of ideas, expression and criticism,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the Centre in Astana. “In a pluralistic society, the state institutions must ensure  maximum transparency of its activities, and respect and promote the right of citizens to obtain information. Therefore it is so important to duly reflect these principles in the draft codes we are discussing today.”

Nurlan Abdirov, the Head of the Parliament’s Working Group on drafting the criminal code, noted the importance of co-operation with the OSCE for preparing draft codes in line with international standards and with Kazakhstan’s commitments as an OSCE participating State. He also stressed the significance of productive dialogue with civil society and media experts to ensure a better balance in legislation between guaranteeing national security and ensuring freedom of expression.

The event is part of the OSCE Centre’s long-term efforts to promote effective legislative reform, access to information and freedom of speech and expression in Kazakhstan.