OSCE Centre in Astana conducted online video seminar for prosecutors on mediation
The one-day distance learning course for prosecutors from all regions of Kazakhstan was organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana jointly with the Training Institute of the Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan. The seminar focused on the challenges prosecutors face in the implementation of the Law "On mediation" when overseeing mediation activities in the country, the OSCE Centre in Astana reports.
Experts from the Russian Federation, Germany and Kazakhstan presented current international and national standards in the field of mediation and initiated an interactive discussion on how prosecutorial oversight could be carried out best to comply with international standards.
"We welcome steps taken by Kazakhstan in the sphere of strengthening extra-judicial measures in conflict prevention and protection of citizens' rights as part of a broader reform of the judicial system," said Ambassador Alexandre Keltchewsky, the Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. "Mediation, whether in criminal justice or commercial sphere, can prove an important tool to achieve an agreement between parties and to prevent possible social unrest."
Askar Sekishev, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Kazakhstan, added: "Through their work prosecutors should popularize the institution of mediation without interfering with the mediation process itself, and in this way promote mediation as an effective means of settling disputes out of court. Today's course contributes to this."
The seminar was part of the OSCE Centre's long-term co-operation with the Training Institute of the Prosecutor General's Office of Kazakhstan aimed at improving professional skills and competencies of prosecutors on various aspects of human rights and OSCE commitments.