OSCE co-hosts high-level seminar on access to information in Kazakhstan

ASTANA, 21 December 2015 – An OSCE-supported seminar on implementing the recently-adopted laws on access to information and on public councils took place today in Astana bringing together some 70 high-level governmental officials, parliamentarians, representatives of civil society, national experts and journalists.

The event was co-organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, the Nur Otan Party faction at the Mazhilis (lower house) of the Parliament and the National Commission on Modernization under the President.

The seminar aimed to equip government officials as information holders, and civil society representatives and journalists as information users, with the skills and knowledge on implementing the laws. Participants discussed international standards and principles of transparent government, budget transparency and anti-corruption reforms, measures to improve government accountability to the public, and the rights and obligations of information holders. They also explored how the information is used and the methods for publicly disclosing information on the activities of owners.

Kuanysh Sultanov, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission under the President and Member of the National Commission on Modernization, said: “The adoption of the laws on Access to Information and on Public Councils is an important step towards the further democratization of our society. Now state agencies have to be proactive in making sure the law’s provisions are fully implemented and that maximum use is made of the opportunities that public councils offer.”

Mirco Guenther, Deputy Head of OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said: “The recently-adopted law on Access to Information reinforces the constitutional right for citizens to request and receive information. It also ensures the principle of maximum information disclosure and commits government agencies to regularly inform the population about their activities and adopted decisions.”

Maulen Ashimbayev, Head of the International Affairs, Defence and Security Committee of the Mazhilis, presenting the law on Access to Information noted: “The Law on Access to Information has three key goals: guaranteeing the openness and transparency of state agencies at all levels, ensuring public control over the activities of government institutions, and giving citizens the opportunity to participate in the development of budget policies and legal acts.”

The event is part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to assist the host country in promoting fundamental freedoms, most notably access to information and good governance.