Annual EU- Kazakhstan Civil Society Seminar to be held in Astana

This year the seminar, which has become one of the central annual human rights forums, is devoted to the issues of civil society contribution and participation in criminal legal reforms in Kazakhstan and will bring together around hundred participants from all regions of Kazakhstan, European Union and the EU neighboring countries, the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan said.   

Ambassador Aurelia Bouchez, head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan, noted on the eve of the seminar, that the EU attaches great importance to the rule of law, the impartial, fair and expedient delivery of justice and the independence of the judiciary, as fundamental characteristics of a modern and democratic state. "These values are at the heart of the EU's own identity and ones that we share with many of our partners worldwide. We hope that EU-Kazakhstan civil society seminar on contribution of civil society to judicial reforms in Kazakhstan will further reinforce the protection of fundamental rights while implementing the ambitious reform programme", said the Ambassador.

This seminar is held every year within the framework of "New partnership strategies: European Union - Central Asia", which aims at the promotion of human rights, law compliance, proper governance and democratization by means of extended interaction with civil society.
 
Leading human rights organizations of the country, scientists and experts in the field of criminal law, parliamentarians of Kazakhstan, representatives of central executive bodies, international experts from the European Union, international organizations and NGOs confirmed their participation in the seminar.