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

Representatives of the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, civil society, the European Union, UNODC, as well as experts and other key stakeholders conducted the fourth Steering Committee Meeting of the ‘Justice for All’ project on 24 April 2024. 

Around 60 stakeholders discussed the implementation of the four-year project, an 8,800,000 Euro initiative co-funded by the EU and implemented by UNODC in partnership with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights.  

The Ministry of Justice and the General Prosecutor’s Office presented the project’s main activities implemented during the 4th quarter of 2023 and the 1st quarter of 2024. These include the continued piloting of a Risk and Needs Assessment tool among more than 2000 probation clients, furthering the training curriculum for the Probation Department, strengthening inter-agency cooperation between Prison and Probation services, as well as providing further support to the digitalization of the criminal justice system and integration of relevant information management systems. 

Mr. Iskender Sadygaliev, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic underlined the project’s important role in criminal justice. “This project is aimed at humanizing the criminal justice system in the Kyrgyz Republic, increasing the country's capacity to carry out reforms in the field of criminal justice in accordance with international standards and norms. As part of the project, we are focused on improving the criminal justice, penitentiary and prison systems and creating the basis for the effective implementation of innovative technologies and approaches. Our goal is to provide more effective and accessible justice in the Kyrgyz Republic”, he outlined. Mr. Sadygaliev stressed the importance of the project’s programmed activities and highlighted the the joint efforts of all involved stakeholders. 

According to Umutkan Konkubaeva, Deputy Prosecutor General of the Kyrgyz Republic, “Over the past two years, the Justice for All project implemented by the UNODC and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights, with the support of the European Union, has made significant progress in the digitalization of criminal justice. New digital solutions contriute to strengthening the rule of law, lead to a better protection of human rights and a more effective criminal justice system . Through joint efforts, we have been able to develop and implement several important systems that have become the basis for the transformation of criminal justice”.  

“Our goal is that the probation system strikes a balance between the maintenance of public order, crime prevention and social reintegration support – with probation staff equipped with the means to ensure necessary services throughout the country”, said Ms. Marilyn Josefson, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union to the Kyrgyz Republic. “The EUD with UNODC and in partnership with the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human rights stands ready to further provide support in strengthening the country’s criminal justice system”. 

“As the custodian of the UN standards and norms in crime prevention and criminal justice, UNODC, in partnership with the European Union and the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic, demonstrates commitment to ensuring an effective, fair and humane criminal justice system. Today’s wide participation shows that Just4All provides an important platform for dialogue between Government entities, experts, academia, CSOs and international partners on key criminal justice topics”, added Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.  

Sofiya Lipenkova, Project Manager on behalf of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights, Kyrgyzstan, recognizing the need to enhance its criminal justice system, has actively pursued the development of digital solutions to improve transparency, accuracy, and accountability in the sector. “I would like to use this opportunity to emphasize that future successful implementation will be very much dependent on retaining and strengthening the existing model of cooperation. This model ensures continuity and synergies across the criminal justice sector. We are open to discussing how this model can be enhanced, considering the needs of all stakeholders”.  

The Participants discussed the recent analysis shared on custodial sentences [LINK IT with the story https://www.unodc.org/centralasia/en/news_2024/growth-of-non-custodial-sanctions-in-the-kyrgyz-republic-since-2020.html ] and its further impact on the probation and prison system within the project. They discussed the legal framework and mechanisms for non-custodial measures, the need to strengthen capacity building for the probation system and tackle high turnover rates, as well as the need to further focus rehabilitation and social reintegration of probation clients. The participants also touched on the importance of synergies in the digitalization process. 

UNODC and LBI-GMR presented the planned activities for the 2nd and 3rd quarters including interventions such as the refurbishment in the Justice House in Bishkek and the planned construction of the Probation office in Kara Balta; development of the case management system to support reintegration  of probation clients; roll-out of the capacity development tools on probation for judges, police officers, prosecutors, lawyers, local authorities and CSOs. 

During the discussion, representatives of government agencies and civil society shared their views on the project’s up to date progress and lessons learned. Follow-up actions include strengthening inter-agency coordination, involvement of local authorities, collaboration with the Parliament, and furthering synergies between different systems within the criminal justice information management systems.  

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. JUST4ALL advances the progressive achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals 5 ‘gender equality’,10 ‘reduced inequalities’ and 16 ‘peace, justice and strong institutions. 

 

For more information, contact Vasilina Brazhko

Communications Analyst of the EU/UNODC Just4All project

At +996775987817 or by e-mail: vasilina.brazhko[at]un.org