On 9-10 March, the European Union and the Republic of Kazakhstan held the 14^th Human Rights Dialogue and 20^th Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs meetings in Brussels. Discussions were held in a very open and constructive atmosphere.

On 9 March, during the Human Rights Dialogue, the EU and Kazakhstan had a frank exchange on a broad range of human rights related issues. The EU acknowledged the 30th Anniversary of EU-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations on 2 February 2023 and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the full implementation of the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, including further strengthening cooperation on human rights and rule of law.

 The EU recalled the tragic January 2022 events and the importance of continuing to conduct a full, transparent and independent investigation into the January events, including into human rights violations and abuses, torture and ill-treatment, in line with international standards. The EU stressed the importance of accountability and encouraged Kazakhstan to work with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with independent human rights experts from OSCE/ODHIR.

 The EU expressed hope that the upcoming parliamentary and local elections will take place in a fair, open and transparent manner and noted the registration of two  new political parties. The EU welcomed the extensive package of political, social and economic reforms adopted for a more “Just and Fair Kazakhstan”, including the establishment of a Constitutional Court to ensure more effective protection of human rights and amendments strengthening the status of the Ombudsperson. The EU called for the effective implementation of these reforms while stressing the need for continuing reforms.

The EU congratulated Kazakhstan on becoming the 90th UN member state to join the Protocol aimed at abolishing the death penalty in March 2022. Stressing the need to ensure prevention, effectively investigate all allegations and eliminate torture and ill-treatment, the EU and Kazakhstan agreed on the necessity to ensure the full implementation of effective measure and legislative amendments aimed at aligning fully with international human rights treaties obligations.

The EU stressed the need to protect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, including not harassing or sanctioning peaceful protesters or detaining them, including prior to announced meetings or demonstrations.  The EU reiterated concerns in relation to restrictions on freedom of expression, independent media as well as freedom of religion and belief. Kazakhstan openly outlined its reforms in these areas, including Article 50 of the Penal Code (ban on public and professional activities), and welcomed further discussions with the EU. Kazakhstan also underlined the importance of dialogue with civil society.

In relation to labour rights and trade unions, the EU recalled obligations in the framework of the EU-Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.    Kazakhstan expressed its commitment to reforms and to cooperation with the ILO. Acknowledging International Women’s Day, 8 March, both sides discussed gender equality and the urgency of effectively tackling violence against women. The rights of the child and non-discrimination, including LGBTI persons, were also discussed.

The EU and Kazakhstan discussed cooperation in international human rights fora, including the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly.

The EU raised a number of individual cases during the dialogue and a list was handed over at the end of the dialogue. It was agreed that the EU and Kazakhstan will continue regular bilateral discussions on hu\man rights.

On 10 March, during the Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs, the EU reaffirmed its support to rule of law reforms and the importance of an independent and impartial justice system and gave an overview of the implementation of the Central Asia Rule of Law programme. Rule of law is one of the priority areas of EU funding for the period 2021-2027.

Kazakhstan presented measures undertaken to further improve its administrative and criminal justice systems; stressing the changes between before and after 2022. The EU and Kazakhstan discussed judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters. The EU took note of Kazakhstan’s efforts to accede to Council of Europe Conventions in the field of cooperation in criminal matters,   to tackle money laundering and corruption, and to comply with Financial Action Task Force (FATF) conditions and their implementation.

The EU and Kazakhstan had a comprehensive exchange on migration, asylum and border management, including in the context of the situation in Afghanistan, and the fight against human trafficking, including the trafficking of children, and assistance to victims.

The EU gave an update on EU-funded Border Management Programme in Central Asia (BOMCA) and thanked Kazakhstan for its ongoing engagement. On tackling illicit drugs, Kazakhstan reiterated its support to cooperation with the EU and international organisations, and outlined efforts for the treatment and rehabilitation of addicts and their reintegration into society. The EU gave an update on the EU-funded Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP).

Both sides stressed the importance of international and regional cooperation in countering terrorism and the prevention of violent extremism.

The EU delegation was headed by Mr. Dietmar Krissler, Head of Central Asia Division of the European External Action Service. The delegation of Kazakhstan was headed by Mr. Bulat Dembayev, Deputy General Prosecutor of the Republic of Kazakhstan.