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The 4th EU – Kyrgyzstan Civil  Society Seminar on the Right to a Fair trial concludes its work with positive hopes for the future of the judicial reform and the uphold of the right to a fair trial in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, 27 September 2013 - The European Union - Kyrgyz Republic Civil Society Seminar on the "Right to a Fair Trial", held on 26 September 2013 in Bishkek, has successfully finalized its work.

Together, 60 representatives of civil society, national state institutions, professional associations, international and local experts have had the opportunity to share ideas and best practices related to the implementation of the right to a fair trial. The event was also attended by a number of diplomats posted in the country. In his opening remarks, EU Ambassador De Montis quoted Commission's President Barroso declaration during President Atambaev's visit: "Building and living in democracy is by definition an unfinished job. It is therefore important that the partners of Kyrgyzstan can support the country in consolidating its democracy. This is precisely what we are doing in the European Union".

 

While debating on the pre-trial, trial and post-trial procedures, participants identified a number of challenges that can be faced in upholding the right to a fair trial in the country. Across the themes of the various recommendations, some were referring to amending the current definition of "detention" and to clarifying the legal status of detainees. Other recommendations were related to strengthening the independence of judges through ensuring various legal guarantees. In addition, there were proposals to strengthen the mechanisms for capacity building and training for judges, prosecutors, lawyers and civil society actors, especially in respect to the international human rights conventions and their direct effect as per the 2010 Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic.

The recommendations will be communicated to the Kyrgyz Republic authorities, and will be a subject of review within the framework of the annual EU-KR Human Rights Dialogue, and also considered in future EU programming.

On 17/09/2013 the EU and the Kyrgyz Republic signed the Financial Agreement of the on "Promotion of the respect of Rule of Law in Kyrgyzstan with particular emphasis on Transparency and Accountability" by which the EU will provide ? 13.5 million grants to support the reform of the justice in the country.