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On 9–10 October 2025, the 144th Plenary Session of the European Commission for Democracy through Law of the Council of Europe (the Venice Commission) took place in Venice, Italy. The event brought together members of the Commission, presidents and judges of constitutional courts, representatives of ministries of justice - including Kazakhstan - as well as prominent lawyers and scholars from 61 countries.

The Republic of Kazakhstan was represented by the Chairperson of the Constitutional Court Elvira Azimova, and the Minister of Justice Yerlan Sarsembayev.

The members of the Venice Commission discussed opinions concerning draft amendments to the constitutions of Hungary and Slovakia; draft laws regarding the activities of non-profit organizations in Slovakia providing services of public interest; the election of members of the General Council of the Judiciary and the impact of the pre-trial detention of mayors on local democratic governance in Spain; the registration and activities of foreign agents in Georgia; the work of the Prosecutorial Council in Kosovo and North Macedonia; the improvement of disciplinary and other judicial procedures in Ukraine; and legal reforms of the prosecution bodies in Peru.

In addition to the adoption of advisory opinions on national draft laws, the Commission discussed Amicus Curiae expert opinions for the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in the cases of Association of Young Lawyers of Georgia and Others v. Georgia, and on the compatibility of Article 236 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia with European standards in terms of legal certainty. The Commission also considered an urgent opinion for the ECHR in the case of Grande Oriente D’Italia V. Italy, concerning procedural safeguards in the exercise of powers by parliamentary investigative commissions.

The Venice Commission further discussed the updated Rule of Law Checklist, first adopted by the Commission in 2016.

The Commission emphasized that the concept of the “rule of law” implies a clear and predictable legal system in which every citizen has the right to fair, equal, and reasonable treatment under the law by all persons exercising power, and the right to challenge their decisions before independent and impartial courts within a fair judicial process.

The Rule of Law Checklist has been updated in light of new challenges and the rapid advancement of digitalization. It aims to promote a correct and consistent understanding, interpretation, and application of the concept of the rule of law.

During the session, an exchange of views took place with the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights and with the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Justice and Consumers (DG JUST) of the European Commission.

In addition, current issues of cooperation between member states and the Commission, the exchange of experience in the field of constitutional review, anti-corruption policy, and the protection of human rights, as well as prospects for further interaction, were discussed.

Kazakhstan’s participation in such international events once again reaffirms the country’s commitment to improving its national legal system and strengthening democratic institutions in line with its international obligations.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ksrk/press/news/details/1084517?lang=kk