OSCE promotes international standards to help torture victims in Kazakhstan
An OSCE-supported training seminar on the UN Istanbul Protocol on Torture and related technical standards began on 3 October 2016 in Astana, Kazakhstan.
During the four-day seminar, some 30 prosecutors, defence lawyers, forensic experts and health specialists from different regions of Kazakhstan will learn about the interpretation and application of the Protocol, which serves as an international standard in the medical and psychological examination of alleged victims of torture.
International and national experts will brief prosecutors and lawyers on the criteria for investigating, collecting evidence and documenting findings in relation to torture cases. Trainers will also engage participants in the examination of concrete scenarios, role-playing and mock exercises to enhance analytical and interpretation skills.
Though Kazakhstan is not a party to the UN Istanbul Protocol on Torture, recent changes in legislation have fallen in line with its guidelines such as regulating the compensation of torture victims, as ruled by courts in recent decisions.
“Such training seminars are relevant not only for reinforcing technical standards for investigation and prosecution, they in fact reflect the host country’s progress in the field of torture prevention and victims’ protection,” said Sara Bonotti, the OSCE Programme Office’s Human Dimension Officer. “The OSCE Programme Office in Astana will continue to support such efforts.”
Nail Akhmetzakirov, the Vice-Rector of the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office, said: “I trust the seminar will help participants to enhance their professional skills and put in practical use effective approaches in the investigation of torture cases.”
The seminar was jointly organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana and the Law Enforcement Academy under the Prosecutor General’s Office as part of the Programme Office’s continuous support to criminal justice sector reform in the host country.