From November 20 to 21, 2024, Astana became a hub for criminal justice dialogue, when the Ninth Expert Forum on Criminal Justice for Central Asia brought together more than 200 participants, including senior officials, judicial experts and international partners. The event, co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) and the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan, with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), served as a crucial platform to address challenges and issues to tackle. progress in criminal justice systems across the region.
The Forum was organized in collaboration with the Regional Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights for Central Asia (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Program Hub for Regional for Europe and Central Asia (UNDP), the Legal Policy and Research Center (LPRC) and Dignity Kazakhstan, with support from OSCE field offices in Central Asia.
This year’s discussions explored topics in the criminal justice chain, including criminal procedure reforms, the digitalization of justice processes and non-custodial measures. Participants examined progress in the region, but also recognized ongoing challenges, such as ensuring the independence of the judiciary and protecting fair trial rights.
Correctional and criminal justice reform
This year, UNODC led discussions on prison and probation reform, involving a panel and two working groups. UNODC underlined the importance of tailored approaches to reduce recidivism and support rehabilitation and reintegration and underlined its technical assistance in developing evidence-based policies and capacity building initiatives.
Working group participants agreed on the need for effective staff training and combating high institutional staff turnover, evidence-based and data-driven policies, as well as a tailored approach to rehabilitation and reintegration to achieve sustainable reforms encouragement in this area.
Madina Sarieva, Head of the UNODC Program Office in Kazakhstan, commented:
“The Ninth Expert Forum is an invaluable platform to address key challenges in Central Asia’s criminal justice systems. It allows us to share best practices, identify solutions and work together on reforms that align with international human rights standards. Promoting rehabilitation programs and alternatives to incarceration are essential steps toward building systems that are both effective and humane.”
The session also played a crucial role in the promotion regional cooperationwith concrete examples of successful collaboration. Notable initiatives included the exchange of practices and training held at the Kostanay Academy under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, which provided valuable learning opportunities for participants from Central Asian countries.
Moreover, the International Probation Forum of June 2024 in Bishkek, it was highlighted that delegations have been convened to further strengthen regional cooperation and facilitate knowledge exchange and best practices in the field of probation systems.
Next steps
As the Forum concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to advancing reforms that prioritize rehabilitation, reducing recidivism and strengthening the overall integrity of justice systems.
A comprehensive report, including key conclusions and recommendations, will be developed and shared with all participants. All materials are available via the shared QR code and can also be accessed via it LINK.
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The Ninth Expert Forum on Criminal Justice reminds us that meaningful change is achieved through a shared vision and collective action. With continued efforts from stakeholders across Central Asia, the region is poised to build justice systems that not only uphold the rule of law but also strengthen the social fabric.