OSCE trains judges on countering human trafficking in Kazakhstan

An OSCE-supported training seminar for judges from Kazakhstan’s regional courts on countering the trafficking of human beings began in Astana on 31 March 2016.

The two-day event is the third in a series of six seminars organized by OSCE Programme Office in co-operation with the Institute of Justice under the President, the Supreme Court and the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan. It brought together some 40 judges from across the country to learn from members of civil society international experts how to implement the relevant legislative framework consistently in the areas of crime classification, collection of evidence, protection and compensation of victims, law enforcement international mechanisms and judicial practice when dealing with human trafficking.

Ambassador György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, said in his opening remarks: “The courts ensure that justice is served during trials related to human trafficking, thus protecting victims and providing them with compensation and restitution. In this context, the OSCE fully supports Kazakhstan’s efforts to help the judicial system better understand the problems and challenges associated with trafficking in human beings, so the courts can better preside over the relevant cases.”

The event is part of the OSCE Programme Office’s continuous efforts to support the host country in combating trafficking in human beings and in implementing the OSCE Action Plan on countering human trafficking.