Image: UNODC

24 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Opinion Head, Kyrgyzstan Justice, Home, Justice, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan Features

Growth of Non-Custodial Sentences in the Kyrgyz Republic Since 2020

The Kyrgyz Republic has reported a decrease of its prison population, which speaks to the ongoing humanization of its criminal justice system. In 2023, the prison population amounted to just 7,728 persons, a 20% decrease compared to 2020 (9,658 prisoners).

Despite a 22% increase in the number of convictions, from 5,074 in 2020 to 6,202 in 2023, the number of non-custodial sentences has risen by 55 %. This information was relayed at a roundtable discussion organized by the Ministry of Justice and the UNODC Programme Office in the Kyrgyz Republic on 17 April 2024.

Within the framework of the EU-co-funded project, JUST4ALL, which focuses on the establishment of a probation and criminal justice information management systems, the UNODC conducted an analytical review on the judicial practice of custodial and non-custodial sentences between 2020 and 2023. This research was aimed at analyzing court decisions on alternatives to incarceration, and collecting data to inform evidence-based technical assistance within the aforementioned project.

An intra-agency working group was tasked with conducting an analytical review by representatives from the Supreme Court, the General Prosecutor’s Office, the Prison Service, and the Probation Department. Zarylbek uulu Almazbek, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic emphasized that this analysis would help identify positive aspects and shortcomings in the current system. “This work is necessary and relevant, and we are convinced that it will contribute, among other things, to the harmonization of regulatory legal acts, as well as improved cooperation and interaction with government agencies,” Almazbek stated.

Cosimo Lamberti-Fossati, Project Manager for the EU delegation noted that the EU-funded “JUST4ALL project plays a key role in promoting the humanization of the criminal justice system in Kyrgyzstan through strengthening the probation system. The collection and analysis of data on criminal justice is key to informing evidence-based sustainable policies and decision making.”

Participants at the roundtable highlighted the positive role of the probation service, and the need for tailored approaches when it comes to the social reintegration and rehabilitation. Further challenges include ensuring staff are well-equipped to address the needs of their clients by creating appropriate working conditions and tackling the high turnover rate of probation officers. The participants also agreed on the need to strengthen multistakeholder synergies when implementing alternatives to detention, bringing stakeholders together and allowing them to have an open exchange in a trusted environment.

JUST4ALL builds on the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules), which encourages Member States to develop non-custodial measures within their legal system to provide alternatives, thus reducing the use of imprisonment, as well as to rationalize criminal justice policies, consider human rights, the requirements of social justice, and the rehabilitation needs of the offender.

 

Vasilina Brazhko is a specialist at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in Central Asia

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Kazakh Ministry of Labour & Social Protection of the Population

24 Apr 2024
Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Kazakhstan Life & Culture, Kazakhstan Home

Kazakhstan Encourages Ethnic Kazakhs to Return to Historical Homeland

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population, from January -April this year, 4,351 ethnic Kazakhs returned to their historical homeland and received repatriate status.

Since 1991, 1,132,700 ethnic Kazakhs have returned to the country. From 2023, a pilot scheme, to assign repatriate status based on the “one window” principle through the embassies of Kazakhstan abroad has accepted applications from 7,518 ethnic Kazakhs.

Amongst this this year’s repatriates, 51.1% arrived from China; 31.9% from Uzbekistan; 6.4% from Turkmenistan; 5.4% from Mongolia; 3.7% from Russia, and 1.5% from elsewhere. Those of working age made up 59.1%, minors, 31.7%, and retired people, 9.2%.

Repatriates are resettled by the government in labour-scarce regions in the north and east of the country including Akmola, Abay, Kostanay and Pavlodar.

To support their relocation, the state provides subsidies for each family member, and financial aid towards rent and payment of utility bills. The government has also introduced an economic mobility certificate for the purchase or construction of housing, and will partly cover down payment on mortgage loans of up to 50% or 4.28 million tenge per family.

In addition, the government offers support to employers involved in the resettlement of repatriates in its northern regions.

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Uzbek Ministry of Ecology,Environmental Protection & Climate Change

24 Apr 2024
Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan Environment, Uzbekistan International Affairs

Chinese Entrepreneurs to Help Address Environmental Issues in Uzbekistan

An Action Plan has been signed to develop cooperation between the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Uzbekistan.

According to the ministry, the Plan covers a wide range of activities, including the construction of a waste incineration plant and the establishment of a high-tech industrial park (eco-industrial park). It also includes the introduction of an online environmental monitoring system for key polluting enterprises and the introduction of wastewater treatment technology.

Alongside the Action Plan, ongoing cooperation between the parties will further the exchange of knowledge and best practices in combating desertification and creating green belts.

In addition, the Ministry and the Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs reviewed proposals for the development of green technology projects, the recycling of household and solid waste, prevention of air pollution, and eco-tourism. The application of Chinese experience in landscaping desert areas and creating seedling farms was also discussed.

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Italian govt

24 Apr 2024
Tajikistan, Tajikistan International Affairs

Tajikistan and Italy Engage in Dialogue to Enhance Collaboration

On April 23, Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon and the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy Giorgia Meloni met in Rome to discuss expanding bilateral relations regarding political, economic, trade, cultural, humanitarian, and security issues.

According to Tajikistan’s president’s press service, both sides expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of hydropower, light, food, metallurgical, mining, and chemical industries, as well as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Seeking to attract Italian capital for the development of his country’s industrial sector, President Rahmon emphasized that Tajikistan has all the necessary components for creating joint ventures in processing agricultural and industrial products and increasing their export to European countries.

The leaders also discussed opening direct flights between Tajikistan and Italy, cooperation in education and healthcare, and the allocation of quotas for Tajik students wishing to study at Italian universities.

As reported by the Italian prime minister’s office, the meeting resulted in the signing of several bilateral agreements aimed to strengthen Italy’s relationship with Central Asia through enhanced dialogue and collaboration in all sectors of common interest including security, drug control and tourism, as well as cultural, scientific and technological cooperation, and sustainable development.

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@iStock

23 Apr 2024
Central Asia, Kazakhstan Local Politics, Local Politics, Business & Economy, Kazakhstan, Kazakhstan Business & Economy

Kazakhstan Plans To Stop Bloggers From Promoting Gambling

Kazakhstan is preparing big changes for the gambling business in the form of a new bill that’s under consideration in the country’s lower house of parliament, the Majilis. Should the bill become law, bloggers will be banned from advertising betting platforms and online casinos. These changes are aimed at stricter regulation of the gambling industry and protection of citizens’ financial interests.

Members of the Maijilis emphasize that bloggers will still be able to cover sporting events on their social media accounts, but advertising gambling establishments will be banned. That’s a step towards more responsible and ethical advertising practices that focus on sports and healthy lifestyles that the government would like to promote.

The bill includes other important changes, such as raising the minimum age for gambling to 25, banning gambling by those who are in debt, and tightening the requirements for advertising gambling establishments. These steps are aimed at creating a safer and more responsible gambling environment for citizens of Kazakhstan.

In March the Majilis started working on the new draft law, which, according to representative Askhat Aimagambetov, provides for the introduction of liability for gambling businesses in the form of fines ranging from 1.1 million tenge ($2,500) to 3.6 million tenge ($8,000).

In addition, members of the Maijilis spoke out on the possible introduction of a ban on gambling for civil servants. This is a step that could be part of a broader program to combat the negative consequences of gambling addiction among public-sector employees.

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gov.kg

23 Apr 2024
Kyrgyzstan Business & Economy, Kyrgyzstan Environment, Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyzstan International Affairs

U.K. Company to Manufacture Innovative Material to Improve Irrigation in Kyrgyzstan

Back in November 2023, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, Akylbek Japarov met head of Concrete Canvas, Will Crawford in Cardiff to discuss the establishment of a plant in Kyrgyzstan.

On 23 April representatives of the company travelled to the Chui region of northern Kyrgyzstan for further negotiations attended by Kyrgyzstan’s Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers – Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobayev and British Foreign Secretary David Cameron.

Concrete Canvas, produces waterproof flexible concrete filled geosynthetic composite mats used for lining irrigation canals to prevent erosion and reduce seepage losses.

Hailing the benefits of the product, Torobayev stated, “Across Kyrgyzstan, the length of canals is 30 thousand kilometres, including 11 thousand kilometres of -unsurfaced- canals. By laying concrete material on these canals, we will avoid seepage of water and ensure its efficient use. Kyrgyzstan is an agricultural country with a lot of arable land, so we really need such materials. The plan is to build the company’s plant in the Osh region in south Kyrgyzstan in the near future.”

Material produced by the Kyrgyzstan plant will meet domestic demand and could also be exported to Russia and Uzbekistan.

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