Kazakhstan Showcases Democratic Reforms at UN Human Rights Council Side Event
Geneva, The Gulf Observer: On the sidelines of the 48th session of the Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Kazakhstan’s delegation highlighted the country’s democratic transformation, focusing on key political and social reforms. The event, organized by the Kazakh delegation, was attended by representatives from 40 UN member states and international non-governmental organizations accredited in Geneva, according to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry.
The event featured key speakers, including members of the Majilis of the Parliament of Kazakhstan — Bolatbek Nazhmetdiinuly, Seitzhan Kenzhegul, and Yulia Kuchinskaya, as well as Commissioner for Children’s Rights Dinara Zakieva, civil society representative Dinara Yessimova, and Lyazzat Kaltaeva, advisor to the Speaker of the Senate.
Kazakh parliamentarians underscored the adoption of legislative measures aimed at combating domestic violence, promoting gender equality, and enhancing inclusion across all sectors, including the representation of women in public service. Notably, the introduction of a 30% quota for women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the Parliament was emphasized as a progressive step toward broader representation in the legislative process.
Commissioner for Children’s Rights Dinara Zakieva detailed state efforts to strengthen her office’s mandate and protect children from bullying, suicide, sexual violence, and early marriage. She highlighted initiatives to ensure a safe educational environment, including courses on personal safety in schools and the launch of an anti-bullying program.
Civil sector representative Dinara Yessimova shared insights into the contributions of the National Association of Social Workers of Kazakhstan toward human rights and socio-economic development, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She highlighted the development of a professional standard for social work in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, as well as an online training course benefiting over 30,000 people with disabilities.
The audience in Geneva expressed keen interest in Kazakhstan’s approach, particularly its efforts in advancing gender equality, strengthening Parliament’s role in human rights advocacy, and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups.
The UPR Working Group will formally review Kazakhstan’s human rights record on January 23, 2025. Following the review, the UN Human Rights Council will release a report containing recommendations from UN member states to further enhance the country’s human rights practices.
The Universal Periodic Review, established by UN General Assembly Resolution 60/251 in March 2006, serves as a unique mechanism to promote and protect human rights through regular peer reviews of all member states.
The European Union is also expected to deepen its human rights dialogue with Kazakhstan, reflecting growing international interest in the country’s reform agenda.
