UNDP provided financial and logistics support for the first capacity assessment of the national human rights institution (NHRI), in partnership with the UN Human Rights Office and Asia Pacific Forum. The results of the assessment will serve to revise and improve the functional arrangements of the NHRI, develop a strategy to facilitate effective implementation of human rights and build communication with civil society, public entities, academia and other stakeholders.
Over 120 police officers (including 44 women) participated in UNDP-facilitated trainings in 2022-2023 on community policing at the educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA). In 2022-2023, 32 staff members of the Human Rights Commissioner’s office and 25 participants of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) increased their knowledge on the work of the UN Treaty bodies, the Paris Principles, and other aspects of international human rights standards, with a focus on gender equality and violence prevention.
UNDP conducted the country’s first National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Furthermore, UNDP’s work in the country resulted in the inclusion of the B+HR agenda to the National Plan of Action on Human Rights and the Rule of Law which was enforced by the Presidential Decree in 2023. The Plan envisages the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to develop suggestions for further protection of human rights in business.
In Kazakhstan, UNDP provided technical expertise and assistance to its government counterparts, in particular to the NHRI and law enforcement agencies. Through a project supported by UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme), the NHRI benefitted from a capacity assessment, and new legislation was adopted in line with international standards. In parallel, UNDP supported transformative changes within the police to promote the delivery of people-centred and human rights-based services. Strong national ownership of the initiatives resulted in the initiation of a new three-year project that will further strengthen national human rights mechanisms and develop community policing.
Also, since 2022, Kazakhstan has been implementing a project on business and human rights (B+HR) supported by the Government of Japan through UNDP’s Global Programme.
SUPPORT TO THE NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS
In cooperation with Asian Pacific Forum (APF) and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), UNDP provided expert recommendations to the draft of the constitutional law of the Human Rights Commissioner (HRC) and contributed to its adoption in 2023. The new law expanded the HRC’s mandate, allowed its regional representation and enabled the NHRI to appeal, on behalf of the communities, to the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court.
UNDP provided financial and logistical support for the first capacity assessment of the NHRI, in partnership with the OHCHR and APF. The HRC requested the assessment to identify what could be improved to enable the NHRI to comply with its new constitutional mandate and to effectively roll-out its 20 regional representation offices in 17 regions and three administrative cities. The capacity assessment team conducted interviews with NHRI representatives in the capital and in the regions, as well as with its key national and regional partners. The results of the assessment report were taken forward for implementation and will serve to revise and improve the functional arrangements of the NHRI, develop a strategy to facilitate effective implementation of human rights and build communication with civil society, public entities, academia and other stakeholders.
To further enhance the HRC’s potential, UNDP in Kazakhstan collaborated with the human rights team in UNDP’s Istanbul Regional Hub, OHCHR and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In 2022-2023, 32 staff members of the HRC and 25 participants of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) increased their knowledge on the work of the UN Treaty bodies, the Paris Principles, and other aspects of international human rights standards, with a focus on gender equality and non-discrimination.
COMMUNITY POLICING
UNDP launched a basic training course on community policing for educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), including three police academies, the Law Institute and regional training centres. Sessions on crowd control management were particularly relevant, as the police management of peaceful assemblies and public protests in Kazakhstan was a concern for civil society and the international community. The ‘training of trainers’ (ToT) mode was applied to ensure the sustainability and national ownership of this capacity building process. The MIA will continue the learning process and launch new curricula on the most pressing security matters.
UNDP facilitated special trainings in the regions to address gender-based violence in line with best international practices. Fifty police inspectors improved their understanding on work with gender-based violence survivors, including prevention and effective investigation techniques that avoid secondary victimization.
In total, 125 police officers (including 44 women) participated in UNDP-facilitated trainings in 2022-2023.
UNDP in Kazakhstan mobilized additional funds and launched a pilot initiative to develop a process management system in the MIA. Specifically, seven services of the Ministry, including internal business processes and services for citizens, were analysed. Revised algorithms were generated that optimize operations and increase the effectiveness of the work of MIA and the public services that it provides.
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS
One of the expected outcomes of the B+HR project was to increase awareness on business and human rights for all the stakeholders in Kazakhstan. To achieve this, UNDP facilitated the production of an animated video on Human Rights Due Diligence which became of high interest and demand among B+HR professionals in the region. For example, upon the request from the Latvian government representative the video was translated into Latvian and was widely distributed in the country. The video was also translated into Kazakh, Russian, English and Kyrgyz languages.
The training component of the project strengthened the capacity of over 100 representatives of local and Japanese companies on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD), equipped the government agencies with the knowledge to promote the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and provided civil society organizations (CSOs) with practical tools for human rights monitoring and protection in business.
On a policy level, UNDP conducted the country’s first National Baseline Assessment (NBA) on the implementation of UNGPs. Its findings have shaped the recommendations for the potential National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights that will be presented to all interested stakeholders in 2024. The NBA demonstrated low awareness about the UNGPs and limited action to promote and respect human rights. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for the state to regulate how businesses apply human rights standards and to ensure their accountability for human rights abuses.
UNDP’s proactive work in the country resulted in the inclusion of the B+HR agenda to the National Plan of Action on Human Rights and the Rule of Law which was enforced by the Presidential Decree in 2023. The Plan envisages the establishment of an interdepartmental working group to develop suggestions for further protection of human rights in business.
Looking forward
UNDP will work closely with the HRC to continue strengthening national human rights mechanisms and expand the NHRI’s focus to the area of business and human rights. It will further promote the human rights-based approach in police operations and support its transformation towards people-centred community policing.
UNDP will work closely with the Intergovernmental Working Group to develop proposals to ensure human rights protection in business in line with UNGPs.