Kazakhstan is gaining recognition within the United Nations.

During the 48th session of the Universal Periodic Review Working Group of the UN Human Rights Council, the fourth report of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the fulfillment of its human rights commitments and recommendations from the previous review was discussed.

The delegation of Kazakhstan was represented at a high level. It included representatives from nine government agencies responsible for implementing state policies and monitoring compliance with human rights obligations, as well as deputies from the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Delegations from over 100 states participated in the review, demonstrating a strong interest in fostering an open and constructive dialogue with our country. The event was conducted in an interactive discussion format, during which UN member states presented questions, comments, and recommendations for further improvements to our country's human rights system.

The Kazakh delegation, led by the Minister of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan, E. Sarsembayev, provided the UN Human Rights Council with information on a wide range of issues, highlighting the extensive reforms undertaken by the President of Kazakhstan, K. Tokayev, in the areas of human rights and the rule of law, key innovations in Kazakh legislation addressing issues such as the eradication of torture and cruel treatment, peaceful assembly and freedom of association, ensuring media operation and expanding journalists' rights, combatting human trafficking, and addressing domestic violence. Additionally, delegation members provided comprehensive responses to questions from UN member states, which facilitated dialogue and the exchange of experiences on human rights issues.

In his speech, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, R. Vasilenko, shared the country's experience in cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, special procedures of the Human Rights Council, and UN treaty bodies. He specifically noted the inter-agency mechanism established by the Presidential Decree of Kazakhstan for addressing requests from human rights special rapporteurs and treaty bodies concerning individual complaints. The Kazakh diplomat also reported on technical cooperation with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. According to human rights experts, this level of interaction underscores Kazakhstan's priorities in strengthening its national human rights protection system and democratic processes.

In response to questions about enhancing the dialogue between the Government and civil society, R. Vasilenko emphasized the role of the consultative and advisory body, the "Human Dimension Dialogue Platform," which regularly convenes at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan. He highlighted the constructive nature of this platform and noted that a tangible result of this work has been the adoption of three plans concerning human rights and the rule of law, as well as the initiation of legal acts on a wide array of political and social issues in the country.

In dialogue with the Kazakh delegation, UN member states expressed support for the measures being taken to implement ambitious reforms and welcomed the adoption of specific steps to strengthen fundamental human rights and freedoms in Kazakhstan. In particular, the laws adopted in the areas of combatting domestic violence, ensuring child safety, strengthening the mandate of the Commissioner for Human Rights, and the National Preventive Mechanism, as well as social protection for the population, especially for the most vulnerable groups, received high praise from the international community.

Furthermore, states particularly noted the abolition of the death penalty, the Action Plan for Human Rights and the Rule of Law adopted on December 8, 2023, and Kazakhstan's contribution to the work of the UN Human Rights Council during its membership from 2022 to 2024.

The Universal Periodic Review, as a unique mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council, provides an opportunity for all member states of the organization to undergo regular expert assessment of the human rights situation.

The report of the UPR Working Group on Kazakhstan, along with recommendations from UN member states, will be approved by the Human Rights Council during its 59th session in June 2025.