European Union, UNODC and Partners Discuss Developments on Probation and Criminal Justice Information Management in the Kyrgyz Republic within the JUST4ALL Initiative

The European Union, UNODC, Government, Civil Society representatives and other key stakeholders conducted the third ‘Justice for All’ project Steering Committee Meeting on 5 October 2023.

Some 60 stakeholders discussed the implementation of the four-year project - an 8,800,000 Euro initiative co-funded by the European Union (EU), co-funded and implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in partnership with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights. ‘JUST4ALL’ promotes the humanization of the criminal justice system in the Kyrgyz Republic and is geared towards scaling up the country’s capacity to implement its criminal justice reforms in line with international standards and norms as well as best European practices.

The Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor’s Office presented the project’s main activities implemented between March and September 2023. Progress was made through the introduction of a Risk and Needs Assessment of probation clients and the development of a comprehensive training strategy and curriculum for the Probation department. In addition, participants were informed about the signed Memorandum of Cooperation between the Kyrgyz and Latvian Probations Services and the Kyrgyz delegation’s presentation in the 32nd Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice held in Vienna.

Mr. Kuban Kazakov, the Director of the Probation Department, underlined the importance of the programmed activities of the ‘Justice for All’ project and highlighted the results of the joint efforts of all involved stakeholders.

Dr. Iotam Lerer, addressed the Steering Committee on behalf of H. E. Marilyn Josefson, the EU Ambassador in the Kyrgyz Republic “I think that the importance of probation and information systems cannot be overstated. These tools help to ensure that justice is served, offenders are rehabilitated, and the public is protected. It is no secret that the EU is at the forefront of supporting digital solutions, thanks also to its budget support and ongoing engagement on this front.”

According to Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia, ‘As the custodian of the UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, the partnership between UNODC, the European Union, and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic under the JUST4ALL framework illustrates the collective commitment to ensure an effective, fair and humane criminal justice system for the entire population by strengthening the criminal justice information management and the probation process.

During the discussion, representatives of government agencies, civil society and international missions shared their views on the project’s up to date progress and lessons learned. Follow up actions include, but are not limited to, raising awareness of the probation work with the larger public, strengthening the cooperation with the civil society and strengthening the coordination between donors and Government counterparts to enhance synergies and avoid duplication.

The partnership between the EU, UNODC and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic under the JUST4ALL framework contributes to the implementation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. In particular, JUST4ALL advances the progressive achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 5 ‘gender equality’,10 ‘reduced inequalities’ and 16 ‘peace, justice and strong institutions’.

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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communication and PR Specialist at

UNODC ROCA

+996775987817 WhatsApp

Vasilina.brazhko [at] un.org