OSCE/ODIHR conference on jury trials in Kazakhstan opens in Astana
(OSCE)International experts on jury trials at an OSCE/ODIHR conference in Astana. Judge Christof Rennig (left) and Prof. Stephen Thaman, author of an analysis of the Kazakh draft laws on introducing jury trials. (OSCE) Photo details
ASTANA/WARSAW, 27 September 2004 - A two-day conference on the prospects for the introduction of jury trials in Kazakhstan opened today in the capital Astana.
It brings together around 100 governmental officials, legal practitioners, academics and non-governmental organization activists, representing a wide spectrum of the legal community of Kazakhstan.
The event is a part of a Criminal Justice Reform Programme of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and is organized jointly with Kazakhstan's Supreme Court and the OSCE Centre in Almaty.
The authorities have repeatedly confirmed that the introduction of trial by jury is one of the top priorities for legal reform agenda for the near future. In fact, the country's constitution states that "in cases provided for by the law, criminal proceedings shall be held with participation of jurors".
"Kazakhstan has clearly manifested its political will to introduce jury trials in the near future," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Centre in Almaty.
"Depending on the chosen model, this reintroduction of lay participation in criminal trials may positively impact the administration of justice, in particular strengthening equality between the prosecution and defence, presumption of innocence, fairness and impartiality of trials."
The conference participants were presented with the analysis of the Kazakh draft laws on introducing jury trials that was carried out by Professor Stephen Thaman, an OSCE/ODIHR expert earlier this year. The review highlights important implications of jury trials for the functioning of the judiciary and provides a comparative perspective on different systems of lay participation in criminal proceedings.
Kairat Mami, Chairman of Kazakhstan's Supreme Court, said: "This thorough and balanced analysis was studied by us with great interest and will certainly greatly stimulate further discussion on introduction of trial by jury."
Conference speakers include experts from the United States, Germany, the Russian Federation and the U.K., who will share their countries' experience with trial by jury.
It brings together around 100 governmental officials, legal practitioners, academics and non-governmental organization activists, representing a wide spectrum of the legal community of Kazakhstan.
The event is a part of a Criminal Justice Reform Programme of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and is organized jointly with Kazakhstan's Supreme Court and the OSCE Centre in Almaty.
The authorities have repeatedly confirmed that the introduction of trial by jury is one of the top priorities for legal reform agenda for the near future. In fact, the country's constitution states that "in cases provided for by the law, criminal proceedings shall be held with participation of jurors".
"Kazakhstan has clearly manifested its political will to introduce jury trials in the near future," said Ambassador Ivar Vikki, Head of the OSCE Centre in Almaty.
"Depending on the chosen model, this reintroduction of lay participation in criminal trials may positively impact the administration of justice, in particular strengthening equality between the prosecution and defence, presumption of innocence, fairness and impartiality of trials."
The conference participants were presented with the analysis of the Kazakh draft laws on introducing jury trials that was carried out by Professor Stephen Thaman, an OSCE/ODIHR expert earlier this year. The review highlights important implications of jury trials for the functioning of the judiciary and provides a comparative perspective on different systems of lay participation in criminal proceedings.
Kairat Mami, Chairman of Kazakhstan's Supreme Court, said: "This thorough and balanced analysis was studied by us with great interest and will certainly greatly stimulate further discussion on introduction of trial by jury."
Conference speakers include experts from the United States, Germany, the Russian Federation and the U.K., who will share their countries' experience with trial by jury.