The International Round Table held in Astana on February 28, 2025, focused on the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s justice system, discussing modernization initiatives and future strategies. Key stakeholders, including high-level judges and international organizations, participated in dialogues regarding the modernization of court administration, judges’ performance evaluation, and judicial education enhancement, while emphasizing ongoing cooperation for further reforms.
On February 28, 2025, the International Round Table titled “Improving the Effectiveness of the Justice System in Kazakhstan: Achievements and Initiatives” was convened in Astana. This event was part of an extrabudgetary initiative aimed at enhancing Kazakhstan’s justice system, funded by Poland, Norway, and the United States. In partnership with Kazakhstan’s judicial hierarchy, the Supreme Court and Court Administration co-organized the round table, which attracted over 100 delegates including judiciary officials, governmental representatives, international organizations, and academic experts.
Prominent attendees included Yerzhan Zhienbayev, Assistant to the President of Kazakhstan on Legal Issues; Aslambek Mergaliyev, Chairperson of the Supreme Court; Elvira Azimova, Chairperson of the Constitutional Court; and several key figures from the judiciary and international administration. The event also welcomed civil society representatives, highlighting a broad coalition committed to justice system reform.
The discussions were structured around three primary components of the reform project: court administration modernization, judges’ professional performance evaluation, and judicial education enhancement. The session on court administration focused on strategic improvements to boost efficiency within the judiciary, with an emphasis on human resources policy. Yuri Fenopetov, Deputy Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana, remarked on the empirical approach to reform generated from sociological surveys: “The joint initiative between the OSCE and the Supreme Court has not only provided continuous support for the modernization of the judicial system but has also established an empirical approach to reform.”
In the session dedicated to evaluating judges, emphasis was placed on enhancing transparency and accountability. The Chairperson of the Justice Quality Commission acknowledged a survey of judges, identifying the need for improvement recommendations made by consultants. Pamela Harris, President of the International Association for Court Administration, commented on the necessity of adaptable practices for better governance: “In court administration, there is no silver bullet, no one-size-fits-all solution.”
The significance of judicial education was highlighted, with academic representatives advocating for collaboration among judicial stakeholders to devise effective training programs for judges and officials. Aslambek Mergaliyev articulated the vision for judicial reform: “Judicial reform is not just about updating infrastructure; it is a strategic goal that requires the collective effort of all involved parties.”
The event showcased notable achievements of the ongoing extrabudgetary project, celebrating key reforms in the justice system. However, participants recognized the continual need for collaboration and further actions to enrich the effectiveness of Kazakhstan’s judiciary. The commitment of all parties to judicial reform and the strengthening of the rule of law in Kazakhstan was clearly reaffirmed during the event.
The International Round Table on Kazakhstan’s justice system showcased significant efforts and collaborative engagements involving various stakeholders. The event emphasized the need for modernization of court administration, evaluation of judges, and enhanced judicial education. While acknowledging past achievements, it also highlighted the necessity for ongoing cooperation to ensure the continued effectiveness and integrity of the judiciary in Kazakhstan. The collective commitment to judicial reform underlines a positive trajectory toward enhancing the rule of law in the country.
Original Source: www.miragenews.com
