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Generally Recognized Rules and Principles of International Law Governing Criminal Proceedings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2025

Zulfiia Mamyrbaeva*
Affiliation:
Department of Theory and History of State and Law, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Kanatbek Suranbaev
Affiliation:
Faculty of Law, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Ashir Aitkaliyev
Affiliation:
Faculty of Law, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
Meerim Rysalieva
Affiliation:
Department of Theory and History of State and Law, Kyrgyz National University named after Jusup Balasagyn, Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
*
Corresponding author: Zulfiia Mamyrbaeva; Email: mamyrbaevazulfiia@gmail.com

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to identify key barriers preventing the effective application of generally accepted norms and principles of international law in criminal proceedings. The study was devoted to the analysis of the problems of the implementation of international standards in the national legislation of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of Kazakhstan. The methodology included a comparative legal analysis of national legislation and a regulatory analysis of international standards in this area. The results of the study showed that, despite the formal recognition of international standards of criminal justice, their effective implementation in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan faces several legal, institutional and sociopolitical challenges. Among the key barriers, legal gaps have been identified, allowing for variability in the interpretation of international law norms, which leads to their unsystematic and often selective application. In addition, insufficient harmonization of national legislation with international obligations was noted, especially regarding the protection of the rights of the accused, extradition, immunity of officials and respect for procedural guarantees. An analysis of the institutional framework revealed limited independence of the judiciary, high levels of corruption in law enforcement agencies and insufficient effectiveness of international cooperation mechanisms. Based on the identified problems, recommendations for improving the criminal justice system were proposed. In particular, the need to eliminate legal gaps and improve mechanisms for interpreting and adapting international norms in national legislation was substantiated. An important area of reform is related to ensuring the independence of the judicial system through the introduction of transparent mechanisms for the selection and rotation of judges, and strengthening responsibility for violations of procedural norms.

Abstracto

Abstracto

El objetivo del estudio fue identificar las principales barreras que impiden la aplicación efectiva de las normas y principios generalmente aceptados del derecho internacional en los procesos penales. El estudio se centró en el análisis de los problemas de implementación de las normas internacionales en la legislación nacional de la República Kirguisa y la República de Kazajistán. La metodología incluyó un análisis jurídico comparativo de la legislación nacional y un análisis regulatorio de las normas internacionales en este ámbito. Los resultados del estudio mostraron que, a pesar del reconocimiento formal de las normas internacionales de justicia penal, su implementación efectiva en Kazajistán y Kirguistán enfrenta diversos desafíos legales, institucionales y sociopolíticos. Entre las principales barreras, se han identificado lagunas legales que permiten la variabilidad en la interpretación de las normas de derecho internacional, lo que conduce a su aplicación no sistemática y, a menudo, selectiva. Además, se observó una insuficiente armonización de la legislación nacional con las obligaciones internacionales, especialmente en lo que respecta a la protección de los derechos de los acusados, la extradición, la inmunidad de los funcionarios y el respeto de las garantías procesales. Un análisis del marco institucional reveló una independencia judicial limitada, altos niveles de corrupción en los organismos encargados de hacer cumplir la ley y una eficacia insuficiente de los mecanismos de cooperación internacional. Con base en los problemas identificados, se propusieron recomendaciones para mejorar el sistema de justicia penal. En particular, se fundamentó la necesidad de eliminar las lagunas legales y mejorar los mecanismos de interpretación y adaptación de las normas internacionales a la legislación nacional. Un área importante de reforma se relaciona con garantizar la independencia del sistema judicial mediante la introducción de mecanismos transparentes para la selección y rotación de jueces, y el fortalecimiento de la responsabilidad por las violaciones de las normas procesales.

Abstrait

Abstrait

L’objectif de cette étude était d’identifier les principaux obstacles à l’application effective des normes et principes généralement reconnus du droit international dans les procédures pénales. Elle a été consacrée à l’analyse des problèmes de mise en oeuvre des normes internationales dans la législation nationale de la République kirghize et de la République du Kazakhstan. La méthodologie comprenait une analyse juridique comparative de la législation nationale et une analyse réglementaire des normes internationales dans ce domaine. Les résultats de l’étude ont montré que, malgré la reconnaissance formelle des normes internationales de justice pénale, leur mise en oeuvre effective au Kazakhstan et au Kirghizistan se heurte à plusieurs défis juridiques, institutionnels et sociopolitiques. Parmi les principaux obstacles, des lacunes juridiques ont été identifiées, ce qui entraîne une interprétation variable des normes du droit international, conduisant à leur application non systématique et souvent sélective. En outre, une harmonisation insuffisante de la législation nationale avec les obligations internationales a été constatée, notamment en ce qui concerne la protection des droits des accusés, l’extradition, l’immunité des fonctionnaires et le respect des garanties procédurales. L’analyse du cadre institutionnel a révélé une indépendance limitée du pouvoir judiciaire, un niveau élevé de corruption au sein des forces de l’ordre et une efficacité insuffisante des mécanismes de coopération internationale. Sur la base des problèmes identifiés, des recommandations visant à améliorer le système de justice pénale ont été formulées. La nécessité de combler les lacunes juridiques et d’améliorer les mécanismes d’interprétation et d’adaptation des normes internationales dans les législations nationales a notamment été soulignée. Un axe de réforme important concerne la garantie de l’indépendance du système judiciaire par l’introduction de mécanismes transparents de sélection et de rotation des juges, et le renforcement de la responsabilité en cas de violation des normes procédurales.

摘要

摘要

本研究旨在识别阻碍在刑事诉讼中有效适用普遍接受的国际法规范和原则的关键障碍。本研究致力于分析吉尔吉斯共和国和哈萨克斯坦共和国在国内立法中实施国际标准的问题。研究方法包括对国内立法进行比较法律分析和对该领域国际标准的监管分析。研究结果表明,尽管国际刑事司法标准已得到正式承认,但在哈萨克斯坦和吉尔吉斯斯坦,其有效实施仍面临诸多法律、制度和社会政治挑战。主要障碍包括法律空白,这导致对国际法规范的解读存在差异,从而导致其应用不系统且往往具有选择性。此外,研究还指出,国内立法与国际义务缺乏协调,尤其是在保护被告人权利、引渡、官员豁免以及尊重程序保障方面。对体制框架的分析显示,司法独立性有限,执法机构腐败率高,国际合作机制效力不足。基于已发现的问题,提出了改进刑事司法系统的建议。特别是,强调需要消除法律空白,并改进在国内立法中解释和适用国际规范的机制。改革的一个重要领域是通过引入透明的法官选拔和轮换机制,以及加强对违反程序规范行为的责任追究,来确保司法系统的独立性。

ملخص

ملخص

هدفت الدراسة إلى تحديد العوائق الرئيسية التي تحول دون التطبيق الفعال للمعايير والمبادئ المتعارف عليها للقانون الدولي في الإجراءات الجنائية. وركزت الدراسة على تحليل إشكاليات تطبيق المعايير الدولية في التشريعات الوطنية لجمهورية قيرغيزستان وجمهورية كازاخستان. وتضمنت المنهجية تحليلاً قانونياً مقارناً للتشريعات الوطنية وتحليلاً تنظيمياً للمعايير الدولية في هذا المجال. وأظهرت نتائج الدراسة أنه على الرغم من الاعتراف الرسمي بالمعايير الدولية للعدالة الجنائية في كازاخستان وقيرغيزستان، إلا أن تطبيقها الفعال يواجه تحديات قانونية ومؤسسية واجتماعية وسياسية متعددة. ومن بين هذه العوائق الرئيسية، تم تحديد ثغرات قانونية تُتيح تبايناً في تفسير معايير القانون الدولي، مما يؤدي إلى تطبيقها غير المنهجي والانتقائي في كثير من الأحيان. كما لوحظ ضعف في مواءمة التشريعات الوطنية مع الالتزامات الدولية، لا سيما فيما يتعلق بحماية حقوق المتهمين، وتسليم المجرمين، وحصانة المسؤولين، واحترام الضمانات الإجرائية. وكشف تحليل الإطار المؤسسي عن محدودية استقلال القضاء، وارتفاع مستويات الفساد في أجهزة إنفاذ القانون، وضعف فعالية آليات التعاون الدولي. بناءً على المشكلات التي تم تحديدها، قُدِّمت توصيات لتحسين نظام العدالة الجنائية. وتم على وجه الخصوص تأكيد ضرورة سد الثغرات القانونية وتحسين آليات تفسير وتكييف المعايير الدولية في التشريعات الوطنية. ويتعلق أحد مجالات الإصلاح المهمة بضمان استقلال النظام القضائي من خلال استحداث آليات شفافة لاختيار القضاة وتناوبهم، وتعزيز المسؤولية عن انتهاكات القواعد الإجرائية.

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© International Society of Criminology, 2025

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