National Preventive Mechanism of Kazakhstan (NPM)
Kazakhstan NPM
Summary
The NPM was established by Law No. 111-V (2013) to fulfil Kazakhstan's OPCAT obligations. A Coordinating Council chaired by the Human Rights Commissioner selects civil society members — lawyers, doctors, social workers — who conduct unannounced preventive visits (about 500 per year) to prisons, pre-trial detention centres, police stations, military detention facilities, children's institutions, and psychiatric hospitals. Members may meet detainees privately and receive complaints. They have no discipline authority and no independent UOF investigative power; findings are reported publicly and transmitted to relevant authorities.
Independence Scorecard
| Appointment | Mixed (multi-branch) |
|---|---|
| Term length | Not specified |
| Removal standard | — |
| Budget independence | Executive discretion |
| Subpoena power | No |
| Compel testimony | No |
| Records access | Restricted |
| Public reports required | Yes |
| Pre-publication review | None — reports published directly |
Statute
- Name
- Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 111-V on the National Preventive Mechanism
- Citation
- Law No. 111-V, July 2, 2013 (amending the Law on Procedures and Conditions for Detention of Suspects and Accused Persons and related acts)
- Full text
- Full text of law →
Jurisdiction scope
Preventive visits to all places of deprivation of liberty including prisons, pre-trial detention centres, police stations, military detention facilities, and social institutions; mandate covers torture prevention and monitoring conditions of detention.