OSCE promotes co-operation in explosive hazards reduction and response in Central Asia

A conference on Quality and Information Management on Explosive Hazards Reduction and Response started in Almaty. (United Nations)

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 19 November 2013 – A OSCE-organized regional conference Quality and Information Management on Explosive Hazards Reduction and Response started in Almaty today.

The three-day event brings together some 50 technical experts, military officers, practitioners, and non-governmental actors, representing over 15 countries and organizations. The conference is hosted by the Defence Ministry and is held jointly with the OSCE Centre in Astana, the OSCE Office in Tajikistan and the NGO ITF Enhancing Human Security.

Participants will discuss the potential problems stemming from the unsafe handling of explosive hazards, as well as ways to address them through information sharing and technical co-operation. They will also participate in a field visit organized by the Institute of Land Forces in Almaty.

“Reducing the potential threat from explosive hazards requires reliable risk assessment mechanisms, advanced technical know-how, and quality control in order to safely manage the storage and disposal of hazardous material. The exchange of information and co-operation between countries in the region is necessary to mitigate risks and improve security for both people and the environment,” said Jeannette Kloetzer, Deputy Head of Centre at the Centre in Astana.

“We are interested in sharing experiences with countries and international organizations on addressing explosive hazards issues, in particular, the storage and utilization of conventional munitions,” said Colonel Amangeldy Aubakirov, Head of the Arms Reduction Control and Inspection Activities Support Centre at the Defence Ministry. “Co-operation on the identification of these threats is key to maintaining security and stability in Central Asia.”

Since 2009, the OSCE has been supporting the development of co-operative mechanisms on a technical level among states in Central Asia and Afghanistan on the issue of explosive hazards.

Fingerprint and genomic registration in Kazakhstan focus of OSCE-supported discussion

A roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the draft law on fingerprint and genomic registration in Kazakhstan took place in Astana. (LL Twistiti on Flickr)

ASTANA, 18 November 2013 – A roundtable discussion organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana and the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the draft law on fingerprint and genomic registration in Kazakhstan took place today in Astana.

The event brought together some 50 government officials, parliamentarians, legal experts and academicians, as well as representatives of civil society. Participants discussed the advantages of fingerprint and genomic registration in countering different types of crime, technical aspects of introducing the law and its potential impact on the people in the country. Special attention was paid to the importance of due regard to the respect for human rights as well as potential problems with introducing such a system, including possible breaches in data security and false accusations.

“Law enforcement agencies are required to ensure timely and professional response to the emerging challenges and threats,” said Ambassador Natalia Zarudna, Head of the OSCE Centre in Astana. “But this should be done without compromising fundamental freedoms and human rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Measures that violate international human rights standards would be counterproductive.”

“This bill has been drafted with due regard of international experience, and today’s event aims at promoting wide public discussion of the bill,” said Erlik Kenenbayev, Deputy Minister of the Interior. “Fingerprinting and genomic registration would improve our ability to identify victims of calamities and crimes as well as criminals themselves in order to better protect the rights and interests of our citizens.”

The roundtable discussion is part of the OSCE Centre’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law and criminal justice institutions in Kazakhstan.

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