The Supreme judicial bodies of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan signed a Memorandum of Cooperation

A working visit of a delegation of Kazakhstani judges led by the Chairman of the Supreme Court K. Mami to the Republic of Uzbekistan began. The event is held within the framework of the XII Meeting of Chairmen of the Supreme Courts of the SCO member states in Tashkent.

During the visit K. Mami met with the Chairman of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan Kozimdzhan Kamilov. Within the framework of the conversation the sides noted the high level of Kazakh-Uzbek relations which are developing in the spirit of friendship, good-neighborliness and mutual understanding. The Chairman of the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan thanked for the warm welcome and noted the importance of the forthcoming forum for development of the relations on current issues of justice in bilateral and multilateral formats.

K. Mami informed his Uzbek colleague about the ongoing reform of the criminal process. In particular, it is planned to expand the powers of lawyers and investigative judges in pre-trial proceedings, an orderly production of criminal offenses is introduced. In addition, the scope of judicial control is expanding, including by legislating the powers of the court to authorize hidden investigative actions. Information was also provided on the opening of the Situation Center under the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan. It surveys of over 700 indicators of courts’ work 24 hours a day, as well as remote monitoring of all lawsuits in the country.

During the conversation, a lively exchange of views took place on a wide range of discussed issues. The sides noted the need to further strengthen the cooperation and exchange of information. K. Mami stressed that Kazakhstani judges are always ready to share their experience and invited Kozimdzhan Kamilov to visit Astana.

Following the meeting, a Memorandum of Cooperation between the highest judicial authorities of the two countries was signed. The document focuses on ensuring the protection of human rights and freedoms, strengthening of the independence of the judiciary, effective administration of justice, the right to a fair trial and the access to the courts.

In addition cooperation to ensure the right to defense at various stages of the judicial process and to educate the legal work of the courts is planned. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of the activities identified in Plan of the Nation "100 specific steps to implement the 5 institutional reforms" of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Strategy for Action on the five priority directions of development of the Republic of Uzbekistan in 2017-2021 and to mutual interest of the Parties.

Speaking at the signing ceremony K. Mami noted that the Memorandum will help to improve the joint work of the judicial bodies of the two countries including the implementation of joint initiatives to improve justice.

The full text of the memorandum can be found here