Seminar on Legal Reform & HR in Central Asia
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From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998 09:45:01 +0300 (EET DST)
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Subject: Seminar on Legal Reform & HR in Central Asia
From: MINELRES moderator <[email protected]>
Original sender: Natalia Ablova <[email protected]>
Seminar on Legal Reform & HR in Central Asia
Dear colleagues,
Please find below the information on the forthcoming seminar. If you
have any questions,do not hesitate to contact me.
East East Programme
Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law
Central Asian Forum
Project: "Legal Reform and Human Rights Protection"
Organizers:
Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan (co-ordinator- Almash Nayzabekova), Bureau
on Human Rights and Rule of Law (director - Natalia Ablova), Central
Asian Forum.
Dates:
11-13 September 1998 (or 9-11 September,it depends on the flights
schedule and will be clarified soon).
Location:
Cholpon-Ata, Issyk-Kul Region, Kyrgyzstan.
Project Description:
When the post-Soviet states became independent, efforts were quickly
made to implement the division of three branches of state power. In
all the states, including the five Central Asian countries, new
constitutions were passed and presidents and parliaments were elected.
However, the weakest link continues to be the "third" or judicial
branch of the state. Being non-political in the essence and functions
which it carries out in society, this branch becomes dependent (in its
material-structural relations) on the first two branches and,
unfortunately, is still seen as an institution which serves political
and economic interests. However, the experience of the first seven
years of independence has shown that a weak judicial power is in no
position to protect the legal rights of citizens and is not capable of
adding stability to the political and economic elites themselves in
the time of a crisis. After significant increases in the strength of
the executive and legislative powers of the state the time has come
for reform in the legal sphere. However, reform moves forward
extremely slowly, even though it is absolutely obvious that the only
hope for the legal protection of human rights rests on the
independence of the courts and the strength of independent lawyers
associations.
The year of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights presents itself as a good occasion for the discussion of the
achievements in attaining legal reforms and the problems which newly
independent states face in this sphere.
The aim of this seminar is to strengthen regional co-operation of
those who represent the "third" branch of the state with
representatives of civil society. This is an attempt to overcome the
sense of separation of the legal elites of various states and also the
lack of contact and understanding between those in the "third" branch
of the state on one hand,and civil society-on the other hand, since in
the matters relating to the protection of human rights these people
are not on opposite sides of a barricade, but rather practically are
on the same line of defense.
The seminar participants will discuss the following topics:
- the state of the current system of legal human rights protection in
the transition period;
- perspectives on the development of the legal system of human rights
protection;
- means of achieving real independence of the judiciary as a necessary
guarantee of human rights protection;
- the traditions of the population and general legal norms for the
protection of human rights;
- experience of human rights NGOs as a new factor in a self-organizing
society;
- the universality of the human rights idea as a necessary compromise
for surviving in the 21st century;
- the real possibilities for and perspectives on regional inter-state
co-operation in the area of legal human rights protection;
- international standards for the independence of judges and lawyers;
- the possibilities for co-operation between the "first" and "third"
branches of the state as a guarantee of the observance of human
rights;
- the assistance of international organizations in ensuring the
observance of human rights obligations in the states of the region.
The working language of the seminar is Russian. English translations
will be provided when necessary.
Participation and Financial Commitment
While this project specifically focuses on the Central Asian region,
all countries in the network are invited to nominate participants as
we all are facing similar problems in creating the rule of law states.
Participants from other countries (outside of Eastern Europe) which
have interest in the problem are most welcome.
Representatives of the judiciary, parliamentary commissions and
committees on human rights, national ombudsman institutions, human
rights NGOs and lawyers are especially welcome to participate in the
seminar.
Participants from the Soros network must apply to the co-ordinators of
the East East programme in their own region for covering of their
round trip travel expenses to Bishkek. Other participants must
independently find the means to cover their travel expenses.
The East East Program will finance round-trip travel to Bishkek and
provide a travel stipend for participants from Eastern Europe.
The East East Program of the Soros Foundation-Kyrgyzstan will support
accommodations and meals expenses as well as local transportation for
all participants who will confirm their participation by 25 August
1998.
Organizing Committee
-------------------------------------
Natalia Ablova, Director,
Bureau on Human Rights and Rule of Law,
40 Manas avenue, Room 77, Bishkek 720001,
Kyrgyzstan
Tel.+3312 211874
Fax +3312 223924
e-mail:[email protected]
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