OSCE promotes judicial independence as a way to counter corruption in Kyrgyzstan

The 7th Annual Conference of the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges on "Increasing the level of independence of judges as a way to counter corruption" took place on 10 and 11 December in Bishkek.

Representatives of the judiciary system and various state bodies, including representatives of the Presidential Administration, Jogorku Kenesh (parliament), the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Bar Association, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ombudsman and civil society organizations attended the conference.

The aim of the conference was to discuss increasing the independence of judges as one of the means to counter corruption, improving the legislation on judicial activity and other measures to prevent corruption.

Participants also discussed the results of the monitoring of trials and law enforcement practice on corruption and other crimes against state and municipal property interests, conducted by the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about international experience in judicial review of corruption offenses and develop recommendations to the relevant government agencies for improving legislation and law enforcement practice in judicial review of corruption offenses.

This two-day event was organized by the Kyrgyz Association of Women Judges with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek, UNDP and the USAID Ukuk Bulagy Initiative.