OSCE promoted sectoral legislation development at conference in Astana
ASTANA, 15 May 2015 – Current trends, principles and tasks in developing sectoral legislation topped the agenda of an OSCE-supported international conference in the framework of annual ”Shaikenov Readings”, which took place today in Astana.
The event, named in honour of Nagashbay Shaikenov, one of the most prominent legal scholars and state figures in the modern history of Kazakhstan, was dedicated to the 20th anniversary of Kazakhstan’s Constitution and was organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in partnership with the Justice Ministry’s Legislation Institute.
Some 90 high-level government officials, parliamentarians, representatives of academia, non-governmental and international organizations, legal practitioners and national and international legal experts discussed a wide range of issues related to the theoretical and practical aspects of reforming various sectors of national legislation. They also reviewed progress in legal reform under the 2010-2020 Concept of Legal Policy of Kazakhstan related to criminal, administrative and civil justice modernization with an emphasis on the protection of citizens’ rights. Other topics included strengthening the responsibility of business entities under a draft Commercial Code and the role of labour legislation in the fulfilment of state’s social obligations.
Zauresh Baimoldina, Kazakhstan’s Justice Deputy Minister said: "Ensuring the rule of law is one of the most important tasks of institutional reforms aimed to strengthen statehood and implement national development strategies. It focuses on legislative protection of fundamental rights, improved law-making process and a business-friendly investment climate as a prerequisite to sustainable economic growth and citizens’ well-being."
“Well-balanced and reasonable development of all branches of legislation in line with OSCE principles and commitments is instrumental in reinforcing the rule of law and ensuring the better protection of human rights and freedoms enshrined in Kazakhstan’s Constitution,” said Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana.
As a result of the discussions, participants developed a set of recommendations, inter alia, related to further development of legislation on access to information, local self-governance, the green economy, Commercial, Civil and Tax Codes as well as the continuation of administrative, civil and criminal justice reforms.
The conference is part of the Programme Office’s long-term activities in supporting the process of legal system reform in Kazakhstan.