In the framework of the Council of Europe project “Reinforcing the Institutional Capacity of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Institution in Kazakhstan,” a special lecture was held at the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The event was designed to raise awareness among future and current public officials about the role and significance of national human rights institutions and international human rights cooperation.
The lecture was opened by Azamat ZHOLMANOV, Rector of the Academy, and featured presentations by Lilja GRETARSDOTTIR, Head of the Department for Implementation of Human Rights, Justice and Legal Co-operation Standards of the Council of Europe, and Artur LASTAYEV, Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Lilja GRETARSDOTTIR provided an overview of the Council of Europe’s mission and values, underlining the organisation’s role in supporting the protection of human rights and the rule of law in its member states and beyond, as well as its cooperation with Ombudsperson institutions. Artur LASTAYEV presented the mandate and strategic priorities of the Human Rights Commissioner and the National Human Rights Centre of Kazakhstan, emphasising the importance of strengthening institutional frameworks to better protect the rights and freedoms of individuals.
The event reached an impressive audience. In addition to the in-person participants — including students of the Academy — current and prospective civil servants — the lecture was broadcast live via Zoom to over 1,500 viewers from across Kazakhstan. Participants joined from regional branches of the Academy, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, local governments, and various public bodies, reflecting strong nationwide interest in human rights promotion and institutional strengthening.
This outreach initiative highlighted the project’s commitment to raising awareness, building ownership and institutional capacity around human rights protection in the country. It also underlined the critical role that national human rights institutions, such as the Commissioner for Human Rights, play in supporting legal reforms, in the engagement of the civil society and the protection of fundamental freedoms.
The lecture was organised in the framework of the Council of Europe Project “Reinforcing the institutional capacity of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) institution in Kazakhstan” implemented under the Council of Europe Neighbourhood Cooperation Priorities with the Republic of Kazakhstan, funded by Germany.
