The EU co-funded project shared the best practices in the functioning of criminal justice with the Kyrgyz delegation

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) warmly received a high-level delegation from Kyrgyzstan during their official visit to Austria and the Netherlands. The purpose of the visit was to provide the delegation with insights into the operation of penal systems and probation services in these countries.

This visit was organized as a component of the European Union and UNODC co-funded project titled "Support to Justice Sector Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic: Advancing Probation and Integrated Justice Information Management (JUST4ALL)". Throughout the visit, various institutions introduced the delegation to the functioning of the Austrian criminal justice system, thereby enhancing their understanding of best practices and effective functioning.

Some members of the delegation took part in a tour of the Detention Facility Korneuburg, while the rest spent the morning at the organization “NEUSTART” to get a better understanding of the Austrian probation service. The afternoon was dedicated to visits to the Regional Criminal Court Korneuburg and Prosecutor’s Office Korneuburg. A presentation on electronic case management system was followed by a tour of the Regional Court. The second day commenced at the Austrian Federal Data Processing Center, where the delegation learned about the integrated correctional administration in the penitentiary system. The Austrian leg of the visit concluded at the Austrian Federal Ministry of Justice, where Thomas Gottwald provided an overview of the Information Management System of the Austrian justice system.

The delegation continued their journey to the Netherlands, where the they visited multiple cities to acquire a comprehensive understanding of the Dutch criminal justice system. During their visit, they focused on specific themes, including cybersecurity and the protection of personal data within the criminal justice system. Additionally, their attention was directed towards probation and rehabilitation services, with a special emphasis on the utilization of electronic tools to enhance monitoring services. The delegation also explored strategies for effective crime prevention measures.

During their stay in the Netherlands spanning three days, the delegation actively engaged with esteemed institutions renowned for their expertise in justice sector reform, fostering an exchange of knowledge. On the first day, the delegation participated in a presentation focused on the intersections of cyber, new technologies and the criminal justice system, with an emphasis on topics like cybercrime, hacktivism, preventative measures, and the prosecution challenges associated with them. The day concluded with a visit to the Dutch Probation Service for an in-depth look into the role of probation in the criminal justice system, including best practices and challenges. On the second day, situated in the Hague, the delegation received insights from experts affiliated with the “Care and Safety House”, an NGO specializing in crime prevention. Furthermore, the interacted with “street coaches”, individuals actively engaged in local-level crime prevention and safety efforts. The programme for the third day was conducted in Amsterdam, where a representative from the Amsterdam Municipality delivered a lecture on the city’s adoption of the Top400 and Top600 approaches, aimed at bolstering crime prevention strategies.

This study visit afforded the delegation from Kyrgyzstan a unique opportunity to acquire insights into effective measures, thereby enriching their understanding for the enhancement of their own criminal justice system. This visit served not only to promote international collaboration but also offered invaluable learning prospects that will significantly contribute to the ongoing endeavors of justice sector reform within the Kyrgyz Republic. Through the integration of best practices, innovative approaches, and the experiences gleaned during their visit, the Kyrgyz Republic aims to fortify its commitment to establishing a just, efficient, and effective justice system.

“Support to Justice Sector Reform in the Kyrgyz Republic: Advancing Probation and Integrated Justice Information Management (JUST4ALL)” is a four-year project co-funded by the European Union and UNODC. It promotes 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 project is divided into two main components addressing two areas of criminal justice reform: probation and criminal justice information management The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights (LBI-GMR) is an implementing partner who oversees the second component of the project.

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For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko (Ms.)

Communication and PR Specialist at 

UNODC Criminal Justice Programme in Central Asia 

UNODC PO in the Kyrgyz republic 

at +996775987817 or 

vasilina.brzhko[at]un.org