A/HRC/43/10 Introduction 1. The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirty-fourth session from 4 to 15 November 2019. The review of Kazakhstan was held at the 7th meeting, on 7 November 2019. The delegation of Kazakhstan was headed by the Minister of Justice, Marat Beketayev. At its 14th meeting, held on 12 November 2019, the Working Group adopted the report on Kazakhstan. 2. On 15 January 2019, the Human Rights Council selected the following group of rapporteurs (troika) to facilitate the review of Kazakhstan: Chile, China and Iceland. 3. In accordance with paragraph 15 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 5/1 and paragraph 5 of the annex to Council resolution 16/21, the following documents were issued for the review of Kazakhstan: (a) A national report submitted/written presentation made in accordance with paragraph 15 (a) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/KAZ/1); (b) A compilation prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in accordance with paragraph 15 (b) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/KAZ/2); (c) A summary prepared by OHCHR in accordance with paragraph 15 (c) (A/HRC/WG.6/34/KAZ/3). 4. A list of questions prepared in advance by Angola, Belgium, Liechtenstein, Germany, Portugal, on behalf of the Group of Friends on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay and the United States of America was transmitted to Kazakhstan through the troika. These questions are available on the website of the universal periodic review. I. Summary of the proceedings of the review process A. Presentation by the State under review 5. The delegation of Kazakhstan stated that, in 2017, major constitutional reforms had been adopted, which had strengthened the country’s legislative and judicial branches, and had made the Government more accountable to the public. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, had also issued a strategy to build a “Listening State”, ready to listen and respond to constructive criticism. 6. Since its second universal periodic review, Kazakhstan had ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (in 2015) and the Convention against Discrimination in Education (in 2016). 7. Kazakhstan was committed to zero tolerance for acts of torture and violence, placing particular emphasis on the protection of women and children. 8. The authority of the Commissioner for Human Rights to inspect facilities had been increased. The Commissioner oversaw an Expert Council responsible for investigating alleged human rights violations and monitoring the Government’s compliance with existing laws. 9. Since 2010, the prison population had been reduced by 46 per cent and new methods of addressing non-violent criminal offenders had been implemented. Since 2003, Kazakhstan had observed a moratorium on the imposition of the death penalty. 10. President Tokayev had established a National Council of Public Trust with representatives from human rights advocacy groups, the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Commissioner for Children’s Rights and other experts. Kazakhstan guaranteed free 2