Astana, September 22, House of Mazhilis. Current legislative and institutional measures for prevention and suppression of extremism and terrorism were discussed today by participants of the round table organized by Parliament Mazhilis in Astana.

                An extensive discussion of topical issues took place with participation of deputies of the Senate and Mazhilis, heads of state agencies, NGO representatives, public and religious figures, political analysts and experts.

                Struggle against extremism and terrorism is effective only with consolidated position of the whole society. Almost all the speakers at the meeting expressedsimilar opinions.

                The chairman of Mazhilis Nurlan Nigmatullin, having noted importance of enhancement of Kazakhstan legislation concerning counteraction to extremism and terrorism, as well as traffic in weapons and migratory processes, drew attention to the need of consolidated position of the whole society.

                Speaking about the legislative amendments that are under consideration of Mazhilis, N. Nigmatullin emphasized that deputies had involved into work on the bill not only representatives of state agencies, but also NGO, public associations, parties that did not pass into Parliament, scientific and educational centers, business communities, religious associations.

                At the same time, Nurlan Nigmatullin expressed confidence that joint efforts would be able to create a law that would ensurean effective protectionof the country population from terrorist threat and would be equitable to interests of the state and interests of Kazakhstan society.

                The speaker of Mazhilis also emphasized the importance of addressing the causes generating terrorism and extremism. According to N. Nigmatullin, confronting modern extremist and terrorist manifestations is not limited to only legal impact.

- MPs clearly understand that apart from administrative and legal methods, social-economic and humanitarian methods of counteraction to extremism and terrorism are crucial. It is important to not only reveal and stop crimes of this nature, but also to prevent them, addressing their underlying causes, - noted N. Nigmatullin.

The chairman of Mazhilis also drew attention to the fact that in many countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, France, the matters of strengthening of criminal penalties for terrorist crimes were legislatively implemented in recent years.

The Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana György Szabó noted the importance of preventive measures in fight against terrorism and extremism. Having emphasized a contribution of Kazakhstan to confrontation with terrorism and radical extremism, György Szabó expressed readiness for joint work with our country in this direction.

The Deputy Chairman of the NSC Nurgali Bilisbekov informed the audience of additional organizational and institutional measures developed by state agencies for increased efficiency of counteraction to terrorism and religious extremism.

Speaking about the proposed amendments to Kazakhstan legislation, N. Bilisbekov noted that they supplement and detail a complex of legislative measures designed for protection of Kazakhstan citizens from terrorist threats. First, it concerns elimination of factors and conditions under which weapon or explosives can fall into hands of terrorists or extremists.

Within enhancement of measures for terrorism prevention, a target work is planned for identifying of unemployed youth and increasing necessary knowledge for their employment. It was noted that Centers for rehabilitation of adherents of radical religious trends would be developed in regions. These measures will also include streamlining of process of departure of faithful Kazakhstan citizens on a pilgrimage.

Speaking of the elaborated state program for 2017-2020, N. Bilisbekov called for collaboration of all relevant forces of civil society and the state.

Concluding the discussion the Chairman of Mazhilis Nurlan Nigmatullin has emphasized: "Today, when not only we but almost the whole world has faced global threat of terrorism, we definitely must intensify the fight against this evil. Therefore, our President Nursultan Abishevich Nazarbayev has given all necessary instructions, according to which we must quickly change both legislative and legal base of counteraction to this dangerous phenomenon. And today's discussion shows that practically all civil society, including political parties, non-governmental organizations and mass media support the key parameters of this bill".

The discussion was also attended by the Minister of religious affairs and civil society N.Yermekbayev, president of public fund “Fund of parliamentary development in Kazakhstan” Z.Batalova, president of “Bolatkhan Tayzhan” fund M.Tayzhan, Deputy General Prosecutor A. Kravchenko, political scientist D.Ashimbaev, chief imam of "Hazrat Sultan" mosque Naib mufti Serikbai kazhy, archpriest of Uspensky Cathedral D.Baydek, representatives of political parties NSDP, "Birlik", President of "Civil alliance" N.Erimbetov journalist S.Duvanov.