Facilitating the creation of a common legal space between Europe and Central Asia and enhancing human rights protection

As the European (continental) and Central Asian legal systems derive historically from common roots, they remain similar in many regards. The strategic goal of this Action is to initiate a process of creating a common legal space between Europe and Central Asia, based on European and international standards. This Action consists of two complementary components: raising awareness about Council of Europe Conventions and enhancing human rights protection through education.The latter component is implemented within the framework of the Council of Europe Programme on Human Rights Education for Legal Professionals (HELP). 

Raising awareness about Council of Europe Conventions

Council of Europe Conventions are considered as a key reference to reinforce human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to promote a common legal space at pan-European level and beyond. It is therefore important to promote a sound understanding and effective implementation of the Conventions system among national authorities and civil society actors in Central Asia. Within the framework of the Action and depending on the needs and priorities of each partner, the following activities on regional and national level are organised:

  • Legislative review and assessments;
  • Preparation of recommendations and publications;
  • Peer to-peer exchanges, conferences, seminars, working groups etc.
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Back Spring School on “Human Rights and Environment” for law students from the Central Asia region

Spring School on “Human Rights and Environment” for law students from the Central Asia region

On 14-18 May 2024, the Council of Europe, in co-operation with the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, organised a Spring school on human rights and environment for law students from the Central Asia region, attended by 41 law. They come from 14 different law faculties in the five countries of the region - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The objective of the Spring school was to familiarise these students with the case law of the European Court of Human Rights on environment and climate change and provide them with a comprehensive overview of the global developments in the field and of international legal instruments applicable in their countries.

Over five days, the students received first-hand information from European and international experts, including a judge of the European Court of Human Rights, who gave lectures and engaged the participants in interactive discussions and practical workshops. On the last day of the school, the participants had the opportunity to put their knowledge into practice in a simulated court hearing and received certificates of participation issued by the Council of Europe.

The Spring school was opened by Mr Sayasat Nurbek, Minister of higher education and science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who underlined the importance given by Kazakhstan to legal education and human rights. Mr Igor Rogov, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, encouraged all students, regardless of their specialisation, to acquire a minimum knowledge of human rights and the European Convention on Human Rights. Mr Kestutis Jankauskas, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan, referred to the numerous programmes relating to environmental issues in Central Asia supported by the European Union and the willingness to include universities in these programmes.

 

The activity was organised by the action "HELP in Central Asia" in the framework of the Central Asia Rule of Law Programme 2020-2024, a joint initiative co-funded by the European Union and the Council of Europe and implemented by the Council of Europe.

Almaty, Kazakhstan 14-18 May 2024
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