The conference was co-organized by the OSCE Centre in Astana to mark International Human Rights Day. Representatives from local human rights non-governmental organizations and law-enforcement bodies also took part.

The conference focused on improving the judicial system’s ability to protect human rights through holding jury trials, authorizing arrests and applying international human rights norms. The participants also discussed protection of the rights of women and children and the compliance of domestic legislation with international standards.

"Respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms are integral to the comprehensive security recognized by all OSCE participating States," said Jeannette Kloetzer, the Deputy Head of the OSCE Centre. "It is important to encourage the young generation of lawyers-in-training to apply and promote international human rights standards in their future careers." Professor Aizhan Mukhtarova, the Vice-President of the Caspian Public University, added: "The discussion of human rights issues at universities is vital to entrench the values of human rights and freedoms among young lawyers, and this is what our efforts are aimed at accomplishing."

The event, which was hosted by the Caspian Public University, is part of the OSCE Centre in Astana’s work to support human rights education initiatives in co-operation with national and international NGOs, universities and state institutions.