Astana, June 12, 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan hosted a regular meeting of the subgroup of the Consultative and Advisory Body “Dialogue Platform on the Human Dimension”. The event was attended by the Deputy Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, deputies of the Mazhilis of Parliament, representatives of the National Center for Human Rights, relevant ministries, Kazakh human rights NGOs, as well as guests of the platform – representatives of the United Nations Development Programme.

The meeting was held in the lead-up to the review of Kazakhstan’s National Report on the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights at the 144^th session of the UN Human Rights Committee, scheduled for June 24-25, 2025. Participants discussed a wide range of human rights issues, including the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, censorship, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of expression, women’s rights, as well as the rights of underage girls and adolescents.

The meeting was co-chaired by Alua Nadirkulova, Ambassador at Large of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, and Botagoz Zhakselekova, Vice-Minister of Justice of Kazakhstan.

Over the past five years, Kazakhstan has implemented large-scale political reforms in the field of human rights and is currently continuing its consistent efforts to strengthen relevant mechanisms. In this context, participants discussed the draft law on amendments and additions to certain legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan aimed at optimizing the Criminal, Criminal Procedure, and Penal Enforcement Codes. Given that this draft law is the most comprehensive initiative of the current parliamentary session, it was emphasized that its key provisions are aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of citizens and entrepreneurs, expanding the role of defense attorneys in criminal proceedings, streamlining criminal justice procedures, and introducing criminal liability for stalking (harassment and intimidation), illegal issuance of bank cards and accounts, as well as forced marriage.

In her remarks, Vice Minister Zhakselekova emphasized Kazakhstan’s commitment to open dialogue on pressing issues in society and the importance of the views of NGOs. She also noted that the previous review of the National Report of the Republic of Kazakhstan took place in June 2016, and the upcoming presentation of the report in June 2025 will cover an eight-year period and a broad range of issues.

Overall, the agenda topics were discussed in an open and constructive manner. Representatives of governmental bodies and NGOs had the opportunity to exchange views on further enhancing human rights protection mechanisms in the country.

The Consultative and Advisory Body “Dialogue Platform on the Human Dimension” was established in 2013 at the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The platform serves as an effective mechanism for fostering dialogue between the state and civil society. It provides a space for discussing pressing human rights issues, with the participation of observers from international organizations.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/mfa/press/news/details/1017436?lang=kk