EU-Kazakhstan: Annual Human Rights Dialogue and Justice and Home Affairs subcommittee in Astana
On 18-19 March, the European Union and Kazakhstan held their 17th Human Rights Dialogue and the 22nd Subcommittee Meeting on Justice and Home and Affairs in Astana. These meetings are part of the bilateral structural political dialogue under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.
The exchanges were held in an open and constructive atmosphere, reaffirming the enhanced level of engagement between the EU and Kazakhstan.
During the Human Rights Dialogue, the EU reaffirmed human rights as a key priority of its external action. It noted the recent referendum held on 15 March on the adoption of a new Constitution in Kazakhstan. While welcoming the invitation extended to OSCE/ODIHR for observing the referendum, the EU noted that only limited time was available for Kazakh citizens to get familiar with the proposed changes. The EU also welcomed Kazakhstan’s constructive involvement with the UN Human Rights Committee, including during the Universal Periodical Review where Kazakhstan adopted the vast majority of recommendations received by its peers.
The EU stressed the importance of civil society, human rights defenders, lawyers, trade unionists as well as journalists and expressed concern about the increasing pressure they are exposed to and the restrictions to their freedom of expression and association. In particular, the EU expressed concern about the growing number of bloggers and journalists being charged over disseminating ‘false’ information.
The EU and Kazakhstan discussed individual cases and agreed to follow up. The EU welcomed recent developments fostering gender equality, children rights and rights of persons with disabilities. The EU encouraged Kazakhstan to fully implement the recent legislation on criminalisation of domestic violence. The EU also strongly regretted the recent legislative amendments limiting freedom of expression about same-sex relations.
The two sides took stock of progress to prevent and eradicate torture and ill-treatment. The EU acknowledged Kazakhstan’s efforts to reduce prison overcrowding and the overall decrease of torture cases and impunity of perpetrators. Both parties agreed to exchange best practice on detention conditions. The EU recalled Kazakhstan’s obligations in relation to labour rights and trade unions in the framework of the EPCA.
At the Justice and Home Affairs Subcommittee, the two sides welcomed the advancement in the negotiations for a Visa Facilitation Agreement and Readmission Agreement, as well as the launch of the EU-Central Asia Counterterrorism Dialogue. On the judicial reform, the EU welcomed the introduction of a Cassation Court to strengthen legal uniformity and conformity in Kazakhstan and was presented with the recent evolution in the Kazakh judicial system. Discussions also covered strengthened cooperation to tackle shared challenges, including drug trafficking, illegal migration and human trafficking as well as the threat by terrorism.
The EU delegation was headed by Dietmar Krissler, Head of the Central Asia Division of the European External Action Service. The delegation of Kazakhstan was headed by Askhat Zhumagali, Deputy General Prosecutor of the Republic of Kazakhstan.