Human rights are the foundation of sustainable development for any country. Without respect, implementation and protection of human rights, it is impossible to build a just, inclusive and equal society. At the core of this interlinkage is the appreciation of the dignity and value of each person, without which it is impossible to achieve social stability, environemntal balance or economic prosperity.

Annually, the International Human Rights Day is celebrated on December 10. It is dedicated to the date of adoption of one of the most significant global commitments in the world - Universal Declarations of Human Rights. This year's theme for International Human Rights Day is "Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now". Human rights are seen as a path towards solutions, playing a key role as a preventive, protective and transformative force in society.

The preventive function of human rights is to establish a universal set of values and principles that are applicable everywhere; human rights help to avoid violations, conflicts and abuses before they occur. The protective function is expressed in norms that ensure that every person has a decent life, regardless of their location. 

Besides, human rights have a transformative role: they contribute to the significant social change and empowerment of vulnerable groups, contributing to the shaping of a greater just society.

UNDP's Role in Promoting Human Rights in Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) places great emphasis on supporting the Government of Kazakhstan in advancing the human rights agenda. Strengthening equality, protecting vulnerable groups, and implementing international standards are the key aspects of these efforts.

Strengthening the Ombudsman Institute and the NHRC

UNDP provides expert assistance to the Human Rights Commissioner, the National Human Rights Centre (NHRC) and participants of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture. In particular, work is underway to strengthen the capacity of the Ombudsman's representatives in the regions to bring the work of the Human Rights Commissioner's institution up to the standards of the Paris Principles of National Human Rights Institutions and further enhance the accreditation status in the Global Alliance of Human Rights Institutions.

Since 2022 there are 20 regional representatives of the Human Rights Commissioner in the country (3 -in the cities of national significance and 17 - in the regions). Human Rights Commissioner is engaged in the development of proposals towards improving national legislation. The Action Plan on Human Rights and the Rule of Law, endorsed by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan on December 8, 2023, incorporates four recommendations which implementation is entrusted to the NHRC that list “ilegislative improvements in the area of labor relations, including the concept of “sexual harassment in the workplace”, developmentof effective complaints procedures, as well as providing legal remedies.”

Support to the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM)

For over 10 years, UNDP has been supporting the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) established to prevent torture and ill-treatment. UNDP to enhances the skills of professionals involved in monitoring of detention facilities. Technical and expert assistance includes training, development of methodological guidances and international knowledge exchange that helps to strengthen the protection of e rights of persons in closed institutions.

As an example of UNDP's project outcomes, in 2021 medical services in the penitentiary system were transformed and passed of  from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to the coordination of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan, to effectively ensure the right of prisoners to health. The process of improvement of medical services has being continued with ongoing work on recommendations towards institutional and legislative changes that will provide prisoners with the timely mecial services  and medications. 

Responsible Business and Human Rights

Today the role of business as a global catalyst for change in the modern world is increasingly recognized. Responsible business with a genuine interest that takes actions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, including the protection of human rights, gains a competitive advantage in the marketplace. 

In Kazakhstan UNDP plays a leading role in implementing responsible business principles. This includes implementation of globally recognized international standards, such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (or UNGPs). UNDP supports dialogue between companies, human rights advocates, and government agencies by raising awareness on the implementation of the UNGPs through training workshops, webinars, publictaions, bilateral and multilateral meetings.

In 2023 UNDP conducted the first National Baseline Assessment of implementation of ts in Kazakhstan, which included analysis of national legislation, companies’ practices of implementing responsible business standards, including accessable legal remedies to restore violated rights. Recommendations developed by UNDP experts were demonstrated to the representatives of government agencies, businesses, non-governmental organizations, trade unions and international organizations.

UNDP intensively cooperates with the corporate sector on implementation of human rights due diligence procedures. Since 2022 over 200 representatives of large, small and medium businesses across Kazakhstan received the trainings. Along with this work UNDP provides technical support to the Interagency Working Group on development of proposals for the protection of human rights in business in accordance with the UN Guiding Principles.

Environmental Justice: A New Challenge

In the existing context of increasing climate change process environmental justice becomes one of the important areas of UNDP work in Kazakhstan. UNDP focuses at preveting environmental offences, including through their criminalization and enhancing the knowledge of judiciary.

Within the work of recent Expert Forum on Criminal Justice inCentral Asia, UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub and UNDP Kazakhstan held a special session on “Tackling serious environmental offences through criminal law and building national law enforcement capacity: challenges and opportunities.” During this session experts discussed the urgency for for the legal response to the triple planetary crisis of climate change, air pollution and biodiversity loss, considering its negative impact on human rights.

Participants from Kazakhstan and other Central Asian countries discussed the growing trend towards criminalization of environmental offences, as well as the importance of strengthening the capacity of judicial and law enforcement officials to strengthen law enforcement in the region in line with international environmental justice standards.

This kind of activities highlight the growing importance of partnerships and use of effective legal mechanisms to combat environmental crimes and ensure accountability for sustainable development of the country.

UNDP work in Kazakhstan demonstrates that human rights are not just a value but also a key path for achieving sustainable development. By ensuring, respecting and protecting the rights of each person we can build a society which embraces equality, justice and progress.

As UN Gecretary Secretary states, “..We need to work together to transform human rights into action by supporting local initiatives, building coalitions, investing in inclusive legislation and engaging with international human rights mechanisms. Let’s unite to protect human dignity, create sustainable solutions, and build a future where everyone thrives.”