by Artashes Melikyan

25 March 2003

Astana, Kazakhstan: Promoting human rights requires a conscientious and careful approach. My assignment as UNV Human Rights Specialist in Kazakhstan's new capital Astana - which, in the Kazakh language means "capital" - is no exception to this rule.

In the type of assignment I have it is most important to listen to people. Before deciding how to proceed and what to recommend in a given situation, it is useful to understand the population's needs and viewpoints. Then you have to identify how international human rights norms may help them, what kind of institutions could process their claims and what would be the likely outcome. It is only after a solid analysis taking into account specific needs, that you can come up with a valid recommendation. Such an analysis necessarily includes examination of national legal system as well moral codes, customs, traditions and the overall cultural setting.

The success of my work has been largely dependent on my ability to present and promote human rights standards from the viewpoint of local needs and local conditions. Explaining international human rights conventions in theory is not enough. You have to find common ground by convincing your partners how these conventions benefit the people in Kazakhstan and the development of the country.

To promote international human rights standards I often revert to the history of Kazakhstan, the way society was modelled a few hundred years ago, because in every country's history you can find norms and institutions reflecting human rights standards. Kazakhstan operated with institutions called "biis": persons of a high moral standing elected by their communities to be judges. Although they had no law enforcement authority to support them, their verdict was always followed because of their high reputation within their communities. They treated everybody on an equal basis and tried to find a fair solution to every case. Therefore, it would be valid to say that they promoted and protected human rights.

Taking into account the local needs and conditions, I supported the Government in drafting an ombudsman legislation, which was adopted in September 2002. During the following months I assisted the head of the institution, the Commissioner of Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan, to establish the ombudsman office, which is now fully operational. The public responded very well to a media campaign, which informed people about the office and its work. Currently the ombudsman office is looking into 180 individual human rights complaints.

I also provide advice and training to the Government, NGOs, mass media and academic institutions on issues of international human rights law and their application in Kazakhstan. I cooperate with a range of international organizations, supporting them to compile and draft reports on the human rights situation in the country.

One of the most fascinating experiences working in Kazakhstan is lecturing university students in Astana. Since the beginning of my assignment in August 2000, I have given lectures in five universities on the topic of the United Nations and International Human Rights Law. My initial engagement was to give a special course - which is now being included in the regular curricula of the universities. Having vivid discussions with the Kazakh law students I meet is probably one of the most rewarding activities - as they will carry what they have learnt about international human rights into the next generation.