The Council of Europe officially launched the project “Reinforcing the Institutional Capacity of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) Institution in Kazakhstan” during a high-level conference held in Astana. The event brought together national and international stakeholders committed to advancing human rights standards in the country.

The Commissioner for Human Rights plays a crucial role in Kazakhstan’s democratic and legal framework, serving as an independent institution responsible for safeguarding the rights and freedoms of individuals, promoting human rights awareness, and holding public authorities accountable. Recognising the growing importance of this mandate, the newly launched project will support the Commissioner’s office in becoming more effective, visible, and aligned with international standards, including the Venice Principles.

The launch conference, opened 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, highlighted the project’s strategic objectives and expected results. These include enhancing the institutional capacity of the Commissioner’s office and its alignment with international human rights standards.

The conference included thematic contributions from international experts and national stakeholders, addressing the role of the Ombudsperson in human rights protection, legislative support for reforms, and the contributions of civil society and expert communities to the institutional strengthening of the Commissioner’s office.

The first Steering Committee meeting of the project, held in the afternoon on the same day, provided a platform to discuss the workplan and strategic direction of the project. Representatives of the Council of Europe and the Office of the Human Rights Commissioner reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in strengthening Kazakhstan’s human rights protection framework.

The events were 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.