A seminar on mediation in criminal matters was held on 25 June 2016 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Participants of the seminar were representatives of the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, lawyers, mediators and academics. During the activity, Kazakh decision-makers and practitioners were familiarised with European and other international standards on mediation in criminal matters and the restorative approach to crime and its positive impact on judicial efficiency. Council of Europe experts presented the Committee of Ministers Recommendation (99)19 and the guidelines for its better implementation, as well as good practices of CoE member states in introducing mediation in criminal cases.
The seminar was also the occasion to present a report on mediation in criminal matters in Kazakhstan which provide an assessment of the national legislative and institutional framework and provide recommendations for its enhancement. National experts facilitated discussion on shortcomings of the Kazakh legislation and practices in this regard, as well as further actions to be taken for the implementation of CoE experts’ recommendations.
