Marking UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in Kazakhstan
British Chargé d'Affaires emphasises the UK support in establishment and implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism against Torture
Marking UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, British Chargé d’Affaires to Kazakhstan, Greg Quinn said:
Today, June 26 is the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The United Kingdom strongly supports the fundamental principal that everyone has the right not to be tortured and supports reform efforts against torture around the world. Since 2008 the British Embassy in Astana has supported Kazakhstan in establishing a National Preventive Mechanism against torture, including through projects carried out in co-operation with the Kazakhstani Government and organisations such as Penal Reform International.
We welcomed the adoption of the National Preventive Mechanism in Summer 2013. This makes it easier to prevent and detect torture within the Kazakhstani justice system. This is an important moment; work performed at the initial stage of implementation of the National Preventive Mechanism is important to ensure respect and confidence between public and state bodies, and we will continue our support over the next year across a number of activities. We hope that Kazakhstan’s progress on torture will set an example for others across the region.