Legislation improvement in Kazakhstan
12-02-2009
Statement by Permanent Representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the OSCE, Ambassador Kairat Abdrakhmanov at the 750th meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council (12 February 2009)
Current issues: “Legislation improvement in Kazakhstan”
Madam Chairperson, I would like to use this opportunity to inform Permanent Council about some improvements in Kazakhstan legislation made during last few days.
February 6 President of Kazakhstan signed the Law introducing amendments and additions to the Law “On Political Parties”. These amendments aimed at a further liberalization of the legislation on political parties, simplification of their registration procedures, increasing the transparency of the political system in the country. According to the amendments the enumeration census for political parties was decreased.
Same day President signed the Law on amendments and additions to Kazakhstan Media Law. The amendments are directed to further improve media legislation. They considerably simplify administrative barriers for printed and e-Media. The amendments also broaden rights and professional rights of journalists. In general, the Law meets the interests of Kazakhstan society in the sphere of development of competitive and flexible media environment in the country.
Three days ago Kazakhstan President signed two other laws – on elections and on local self-government. Amendments to the elections legislation allow avoiding single-party Parliament through legal provisions stipulating that a second largest vote political party enters Parliament even it has not overcome a threshold.
Local self-government legislation novelties directed to the further improvement of the activity of the local bodies of self-government, local representative and executive bodies.
Detailed information on these amendments will be distributed among delegations through the distribution service.
I should like to notice that these Laws were elaborated in close cooperation between Government of Kazakhstan from one side and civil society, journalists, international experts and other stake-holders. In particular, we are very much grateful to the ODIHR experts for their contribution into the elaboration of the draft laws.
Yesterday President ratified Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This will further strengthen legal protection and improve human rights situation in Kazakhstan.
As far as draft Religion Law is concerned, which caused so many concerns and critics, I would like to inform the Permanent Council that yesterday the Constitutional Council of the Republic of Kazakhstan, where the draft law was forwarded by President for expertise a month ago, recognised it unconstitutional.
Madame Chairperson,
We consider all these measures yet another very important step in our determined way towards political improvement and democratic modernization in Kazakhstan and we account on continuous support from all our partners, including participating states and OSCE institutions.
I would like to remind that democracy can not be created overnight. It is not an easy-going activity for anyone of us, but long-term, sometimes painful process demanding mutual understanding and joint efforts of all stake-holders. And I would like to reiterate that Kazakhstan stands ready to move forward in this process towards its Chairmanship and beyond.
Thank you.
