Kazakhstan

January 2016: HRW has written to Kazakhstan, asking them to encourage Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine to endorse the Declaration. Outreach letter sent in advance of CAAC Open Debate.

August 2016: CAAC Open Debate: “We believe that the machinery of the non-governmental organization community, such as Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict, Save the Children Alliance and the Geneva Call, should be mobilized to get more non-State actors to join the latter’s “Deed of Commitment”. We are convinced that every effort should be made to protect schools, hospitals and humanitarian facilities from attacks in order to ensure safe access to education and health care. In that regard, my country co-sponsored resolution 2286 (2016), recently adopted on this matter. Kazakhstan has also endorsed the Safe Schools Declaration and calls on parties to conflicts to uphold its Guidelines for Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflict. Realizing the important role that education can play in promoting peace and stability, we have allocated a total of more than $53 million for various humanitarian projects in Afghanistan. Our record of assistance includes the construction of schools and hospitals in that country and the funding of annual scholarships for Afghan students.”

September 2017: GCPEA sent a letter to the ambassador in New York asking to raise the issue on attacks and military use, draw attention to the Declaration and the Guidelines during the Open Debate on children and armed conflict. As current member of the UNSC we also asked to encourage Ukraine and UK to endorse.

December 2017: Georges Baize from the ICRC advised that Kazakhstan is very keen to assert itself on the international stage, that they have plenty of money, and that Astana is quite a good location for hosting events such as the international conference. Gisela also met with the UNICEF regional education specialist for Europe and Central Asia and she confirmed that Kazakhstan could be an interesting option for the same reasons, and also because they see themselves as a leader in the region, so could potentially be interested in helping with increasing the number of endorsements there. Gisela plans to ask the Ambassador in Geneva for a meeting in January to raise the idea with her.

January 2018: GCPEA wrote to the new focal point in the Mission in Geneva to share materials and highlight relevant upcoming events at the Human Rights Council.

May 2018: GCPEA met with the Mission of Kazakhstan in Geneva to discuss implementation, share the framework for action, and highlight the Spain conference as a goal for achieving progress on implementation.

June 2018: Gisela met with Mr. Didar Temenov, Political Counsellor, and Mr. Amirbek Zhemeny, Second Secretary. We thanked them for lobbying to protect the language on military use in Sweden’s resolution. They noted the low level of endorsement in Asia and asked why Japan and Republic of Korea had not endorsed. They expressed an interest in encouraging fellow Central Asian countries to join. When we mentioned the Spain conference, the Political Counsellor immediately asked if Kazakhstan could host the Fourth International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021 and asked what this would entail. They also suggested the possibility of a briefing on the Declaration at their monthly meeting of Central Asian states. Kazakhstan is the chair of the Daesh Sanctions Committee and suggested that they could also highlight the Declaration there. The Second Secretary relayed Philippines’ concerns about alleged biases and discrepancies in reporting, especially with regard to schools attacked by state forces that were previously occupied by armed forces. They were likely to refer to the Declaration in their statement at the open debate, which they did. Gisela will follow up to thank them and bring forward the questions of the briefing for Central Asian states and hosting the Fourth International Conference.

July 2018: Co-sponsored resolution 2427 (2018).Mentioned and welcomed the Safe Schools Declaration during the statement to the SC.

January 2019: GCPEA met in Geneva with the expert of Kazakhstan to raise the suggestion that they might host the Fourth International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021. The new Minister, while focusing strongly on trade, is from a defence background, which might make this interesting for him. The expert recommended sharing a concept note and letter for the Minister with the New York Mission as soon as possible. An approach from Spain in Madrid would be very useful, as they have strong relations. (She was previously posted in Madrid herself.) Spain has also previously noted their strong relationship. I will ask the MFA to make an approach when I meet them in Madrid on Monday. Naturally, they would like to see the official invitation for Palma as soon as possible. I will also raise this in Madrid on Monday. The expert responded to the idea that hosting the conference would contribute to the legacy of their UNSC membership and their championing of the CAAC agenda, and also strengthen their candidature for Human Rights Council membership 2022-24. She also responded well to the mention of Kazakhstan’s recent track record and good facilities for hosting international meetings. The possibility of a funding package from Norway for travel of participants was of interest. In terms of regional advocacy in Geneva, the OIC offers the best platform as they regularly hold meetings to coordinate positions. Pakistan is the current chair. She also recommended engaging with Uzbekistan on endorsement, as the political situation is more favourable now. GCPEA sent a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs to encourage Kazakhstan to host the 4th international conference.

January 2019: GCPEA met with the Permanent Mission in Geneva to discuss the suggestion that Kazakhstan could host the Fourth International Conference on Safe Schools in 2021. Following the meeting, GCPEA prepared a concept note and shared it with the Mission in New York, together with a letter addressed to the Foreign Minister. Human Rights Watch made a submission to the CESCR for their upcoming review of Kazakhstan. It includes an acknowledgment of Kazakhstan’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Declaration and its support of the children and armed conflict agenda at the Security Council.

March 2019: Clustered Interactive Dialogue with the SRSG CAAC Virginia Gamba, HRC Geneva: joined Norway’s joint statement on the Safe Schools Declaration.

May 2019: Participated in the Third International Conference in Palma.

October 2021: cosponsored UNSRC2601.