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Press release
OSCE's human rights office calls for strengthening of new Ombudsman office in Kazakhstan
- Date:
- Place:
- WARSAW
- Source:
- OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, OSCE Programme Office in Astana
- Fields of work:
- Human rights
WARSAW, 17 October 2002 - The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) welcomed the recent creation of a national human rights institution in Kazakhstan, but called for the strengthening of its mandate in order to bring it in line with international standards.
"It is regrettable that the powers of the new Ombudsman are very restricted", said Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Director of the ODIHR. "The presidential decree on which this institution is based should be replaced by an improved law adopted by the Parliament as soon as possible."
The mandate of the new Ombudsman office does not cover important state institutions like the courts and the Prosecutor's office. Also, its independence is not fully guaranteed since there is no provision foreseeing immunity or a separate budget.
The ODIHR expressed its hope that Kazakhstan will bring the institution's legal framework in conformity with international standards, notably the Paris Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for protection and promotion of human rights endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
The ODIHR will closely follow the further developments related to the institution and stands ready to provide advice and assistance in order to ensure that the Ombudsman evolves into a credible and independent human rights institution.
"It is regrettable that the powers of the new Ombudsman are very restricted", said Ambassador Gérard Stoudmann, Director of the ODIHR. "The presidential decree on which this institution is based should be replaced by an improved law adopted by the Parliament as soon as possible."
The mandate of the new Ombudsman office does not cover important state institutions like the courts and the Prosecutor's office. Also, its independence is not fully guaranteed since there is no provision foreseeing immunity or a separate budget.
The ODIHR expressed its hope that Kazakhstan will bring the institution's legal framework in conformity with international standards, notably the Paris Principles relating to the status and functioning of national institutions for protection and promotion of human rights endorsed by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
The ODIHR will closely follow the further developments related to the institution and stands ready to provide advice and assistance in order to ensure that the Ombudsman evolves into a credible and independent human rights institution.
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