SDG 16 in Action: AIU Discusses 10 Years of Legal Reforms in Kazakhstan

 

On May 23, 2025, Astana International University hosted an international scientific and practical conference entitled "10 Years of the Criminal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, Criminal Executive Code, and Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Kazakhstan: Results, Practice, and Prospects" within the framework of SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Effective Institutions.

The conference brought together representatives of the Constitutional Court, the Central Election Commission, the Parliament, the Supreme Court, the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General's Office, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, as well as scholars from Kazakhstani and international universities, including Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow State Law University, Russian State University of Law, and Pyatigorsk State University.

Participants discussed the results of the ten-year implementation of key codes, emerging law enforcement issues, prospects for updating them, and the relationship between Kazakhstani practice and international approaches.

The conference included a presentation of two monographs by Doctor of Law, Professor Isidor Shamilovich Borchashvili (AIU):

– "Circumstances Precluding the Criminality of an Act"

– "Criminal Offenses against the Family and Minors: Law, Theory, and Practice"

Based on the discussions, draft recommendations were developed, reflecting proposals for developing a new Criminal Policy Concept, updating codes, revising a number of criminal norms, and digitalizing the administrative sphere. Particular attention was paid to reforming legal education and strengthening scientific expertise in lawmaking.

The conference recommendations will be submitted to the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and other relevant government agencies for the adoption of appropriate measures to improve criminal and administrative legislation.