The International Round Table on February 28, 2025, focused on enhancing Kazakhstan’s justice system through an extrabudgetary project funded by Poland, Norway, and the U.S. Attended by over 100 representatives from judiciary, government, and academia, discussions addressed modernization of court administration, evaluation of judges, and judicial education. The importance of continuous collaboration for effective reform was emphasized throughout the event.
On February 28, 2025, an International Round Table titled “Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Initiatives” was held in Astana. This event was part of an extrabudgetary project funded by Poland, Norway, and the U.S., and organized in collaboration with Kazakhstan’s judicial authorities, including the Supreme Court. The gathering attracted over 100 delegates from the judiciary, government, academia, and international organizations to explore developments and initiatives in Kazakhstan’s justice sector.
Among the notable attendees were high-ranking officials such as Yerzhan Zhienbayev, Assistant to the President on Legal Issues, and Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairperson of the Supreme Court. Other key participants included Elvira Azimova, Chairperson of the Constitutional Court, and Pamela Harris, President of the International Association for Court Administration. Civil society input was represented by members of the Republican Bar Association and various international organizations.
The round table discussions focused on three main components of the project: modernization of court administration, evaluation of judges’ performance, and enhancement of judicial education. The first session covered court administration modernization, emphasizing the strategic approach fostered by the project to ensure court system efficiency and improve human resource policies in the judiciary. Yuri Fenopetov, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, highlighted the significance of the initiative’s empirical approach in shaping judicial governance in Kazakhstan.
In the second session, discussions centered around the evaluation of judges’ performance and disciplinary measures aimed at promoting transparency and judicial ethics. The Justice Quality Commission Chairperson highlighted findings from a judges’ survey conducted within the project. Pamela Harris pointed out that effective court administration requires ongoing adaptability and learning from best practices globally.
The final session addressed the advancement of judicial education, stressing the necessity for collaboration among stakeholders in creating training programs for judges and court officials. Aslambek Mergaliyev stated that judicial reform extends beyond updating infrastructure; it demands a collective effort to develop a system aligned with contemporary societal needs while ensuring access to justice for all citizens.
Participants celebrated notable achievements from the extrabudgetary project, focusing on key reforms and modernization efforts. Nevertheless, they also recognized the continuous need for cooperation to further enhance the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s justice system. The event emphasized the collective commitment of all stakeholders to driving judicial reforms and reinforcing the rule of law in the country.
The International Round Table highlighted significant strides in improving Kazakhstan’s justice system through ongoing projects supported by international funding. Key discussions focused on modernizing court administration, evaluating judges’ performance for enhanced accountability, and advancing judicial education. Collaborative efforts among various stakeholders are vital to sustaining reform momentum and ensuring a justice system that meets contemporary demands for accessibility and transparency.
Original Source: www.osce.org
