The OSCE’s round table in Astana on February 28, 2025, addressed reforms in Kazakhstan’s justice system. Over 100 participants discussed modernization of court administration, evaluation of judges’ performance, and judicial education improvements. Key officials, including Supreme Court Chairperson Aslambek Mergaliyev, emphasized the need for strategic collaboration and ongoing reform to enhance the judiciary’s efficiency and effectiveness.
On February 28, 2025, a round table titled “Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Initiatives” was held in Astana. Organized under an extrabudgetary project funded by Poland, Norway, and the United States, the event was co-organized by the Supreme Court and Court Administration of Kazakhstan. It gathered over 100 participants, including high-level judicial and governmental representatives, international organizations, and academia, to discuss advancements and future projects in the justice sector.
High-profile attendees included Yerzhan Zhienbayev, Assistant to the President on Legal Issues; Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairperson of the Supreme Court; and Elvira Azimova, Chairperson of the Constitutional Court, among others. Civil society was represented by members from various sectors including the Republican Bar Association and the diplomatic corps. Their involvement highlighted the multifaceted interest in judicial reforms within Kazakhstan.
The discussions revolved around three core components of the project: modernization of court administration, assessment of judges’ performance, and enhancement of judicial education. The initial session focused on improving court administration, where speakers noted the need for a strategic plan to increase court efficiency and refine human resource policies within the judiciary.
Yuri Fenopetov, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, emphasized the importance of their joint initiative with the Supreme Court, stating it created a foundation for empirical reforms through sociological surveys for judicial governance. The second session addressed the evaluation of judges and disciplinary processes aimed at enhancing accountability and ethical standards. Recommendations from a survey conducted on judges underscored the need for improvements in the evaluation system.
Pamela Harris, President of the International Association for Court Administration, noted that effective court administration requires ongoing adaptation and shared learning. The final session emphasized the necessity of collaborative efforts among stakeholders to develop training programs for judges, with an emphasis on judicial education enhancements.
As stated by Aslambek Mergaliyev, the process of judicial reform is a collective endeavor that aims to create a justice system responsive to modern societal demands. The discussions recognized the significant strides made under the project but also underscored that ongoing collaboration and continued reform are vital for improving Kazakhstan’s justice system.
The round table conducted in Astana highlighted the collaborative efforts between various stakeholders in Kazakhstan’s judicial system aimed at reforming and modernizing the justice sector. Key areas of focus included the modernization of court administration, evaluation of judges’ performance, and improvements in judicial education. Continuous dialogue and cooperation among involved parties are crucial for sustaining progress and enhancing the rule of law in Kazakhstan.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
