UN expert to assess human rights situation in Kazakhstan
ASTANA. Jan 19 (Interfax) - The United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai will be in Kazakhstan on January 19-27 to assess the situation around the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association in that country.
This is the first visit to Kazakhstan by the independent expert whose mandate in accordance with the UN Human Council Rights (HRC) resolution consists in monitoring and promoting the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association worldwide, the UN office in Kazakhstan said in a press release on Monday.
Kiai said that the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association are an important part of democracy and development, and States must fully respect and protect these rights, according to the press release.
The expert said that during his visit he will examine how the established law meets the requirements for the freedom of assembly and how the freedom of assembly is exercised in practice.
He said he will also study the issue of registration of public organizations, trade unions, political parties and religious association and the conditions for free and efficient functioning of a civil society.
Kiai said he hopes to obtain information about the recently passed legislation, i.e. the new Criminal Code and the Code of Administrative Offenses, impacted on the exercise of the rights to the freedom of assembly and association.
The special rapporteur will visit Astana, Almaty, Aktau and Zhanaozen, the press release said.
The UN expert's visit comes after a recent assessment of the human rights situation in Kazakhstan during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), a process that involves assessment of the human rights situation in all the UN member states, the press release said.
The special rapporteur will submit his final report about the Kazakhstan visit at the UN HRC session in June.
The special rapporteur speaks on his own behalf and is appointed as an independent expert by the UN HRC.