Within the framework of the project “Coordinated Civil Society Action to Promote Rule of Law for All”, implemented by the Legal Policy Research Centre (LPRC) and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) with the financial support of the European Union, a call for proposals is announced for financial support of a project on monitoring the trial stage of criminal justice in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Title of Assignment – Lot №2: Conducting monitoring of the trial stage of criminal justice in the Republic of Kazakhstan using the developed Methodology for Monitoring the Criminal Justice System (Sphere 7) and preparation of a final analytical report.

1. Context

The assignment is implemented under the project “Coordinated Civil Society Action to Promote Rule of Law for All”, carried out by LPRC and IPHR with EU financial support. According to the project’s work plan, monitoring of compliance with international standards of fair trial in Kazakhstan is envisaged, based on the developed Methodology for Monitoring the Trial Stage of Criminal Justice (Sphere 7).

2. Objective of the Assignment

To conduct comprehensive monitoring of the trial stage of criminal justice in the Republic of Kazakhstan in accordance with the Methodology for Sphere 7: “Trial Stage” (Methodology link: https://admin.rolforall.kz/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sfera-7.-sudebnyj-etap_final.pdf) and to prepare a report analyzing the compliance of legislation and practice with international standards, using the template developed by the client (sample report: https://admin.rolforall.kz/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/rus-analytical-report-on-the-trial-stage-in-the-kyrgyz-republic.pdf).

3. Expected Results

4. Methodology and Approach

Monitoring must be carried out strictly in accordance with the Methodology for Sphere 7. Monitoring of the trial stage will be based on a comprehensive, human rights-based, and evidence-based approach. The methodology is built on a combination of legal analysis, courtroom observation, study of judicial practice, as well as surveys of trial participants. This approach ensures objectivity, completeness, and reliability of the data obtained, as well as compliance with international fair trial standards (Article 14 ICCPR).

Main research methods:

• Legal analysis: Study of the Constitution, Criminal Procedure Code, legislation on state-guaranteed legal aid, regulations on forensic examination, court digitalization, and related areas. Comparison of national norms with international standards (ICCPR, ECHR, UN and Council of Europe recommendations).
• Courtroom observation: Direct observation of criminal trials in first instance and appellate courts, including access to hearings and online sessions. Assessment of transparency, adversarial process, reasonable time, presumption of innocence, right to defense, access to translation, and other guarantees. Special focus on cases involving vulnerable groups (juveniles, women, persons with disabilities, foreign nationals).
• Study of judicial acts and statistics: Analysis of court decisions, including reasoning and compliance with standards of justification. Collection and processing of statistical data (case duration, frequency of trials in absentia, availability of audio/video records, etc.).
• Surveys and interviews: Interviews and surveys with criminal justice participants – lawyers, prosecutors, judges, defendants, victims. Questionnaires to assess access to justice, perception of judicial independence, and quality of judicial services.
• Analysis of alternative sources: Reports by Ombudsman, NGOs, media. Thematic studies on special case categories (e.g., juveniles, emergencies).

Approach:

• Triangulation of data – combining results of legal analysis, observation, and surveys to verify findings.
• Inclusiveness and gender sensitivity – monitoring will consider needs of vulnerable groups and women’s access to justice.
• Ethical standards – confidentiality, no risks to participants, independence, and objectivity.
• Comparative analysis – assessment of national practice in comparison with international standards and similar jurisdictions.

5. Geography of Monitoring

Monitoring will be carried out across the Republic of Kazakhstan, covering various regions for representativeness.

The sample should include:

• First instance courts (district/city courts) handling most criminal cases;
• Appellate courts (regional/equivalent) where right to appeal is reviewed;
• Specialized courts (e.g., inter-district, juvenile courts) – selectively, to analyze specific practices.

Geography must cover both capital cities (Astana, Almaty, Shymkent) and regions, including at least 4 oblasts (e.g., East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Zhambyl, Kyzylorda).

At least 80 trials of varying complexity will be observed, including cases:

• involving vulnerable groups (women, juveniles, foreigners, persons with disabilities);
• in absentia trials;
• jury trials;
• hearings using digital technologies (online, audio/video recording).

6. Timeframe

Start: 1 November 2025

Completion: no later than 6 months afterwards

Interim reports and approvals – according to the agreed schedule.

7. Language of the Assignment

All documents and reports must be submitted in Russian.

8. Budget and Financing

The total cost must not exceed EUR 50,000 (including taxes).

Funding includes:

• 95% (up to EUR 47,500) – EU project;
• 5% (up to EUR 2,500) – own contribution (in monetary form: staff time, office rent, logistics, etc.).

Budget must be in euros with transparent breakdown (fees, transport, accommodation, fieldwork, report preparation). Costs must be necessary, justified, realistic, and provide value for money.

Payment in installments:

• 40% – upon submission of monitoring plan;
• 40% – upon submission of interim report and evidence of monitoring;
• 20% – upon approval of final report.

9. Eligibility Criteria

Applicants (CSOs/legal entities or consortia) must:

• Be a non-profit legal entity registered in Kazakhstan;
• Have proven experience in human rights monitoring;
• Have experience in legal analysis and trial monitoring;
• Have experience in data collection/analysis (quantitative & qualitative methods);
• Desirable: experience preparing reports for international donors (EU, UN, OSCE);
• Have a qualified team including:
  • Project coordinator,
  • Lawyer/human rights defender (court practice, fair trial standards),
  • Sociologist/analyst (surveys, data analysis),
  • Field observers (court monitoring, regional coverage),
  • Expert on vulnerable groups.
• Ensure coordination of fieldwork and cooperation with stakeholders;
• Ensure confidentiality, gender sensitivity, inclusiveness;
• Properly administer contract (accounting, reporting, cost verification);
• Provide own contribution of at least 5%;
• Work with confidential data ethically;
• Confirm absence of conflict of interest with judiciary/prosecution;
• Act independently, impartially, ethically, non-violently;
• Be ready to attend training on methodology.

10. Application Procedure and Deadlines

Applications accepted: 30 September – 14 October 2025 (Astana time).

Package must include:

• Completed Application Form (Appendix 1, in Russian, 15–20 pages, based on Sphere 7 Methodology);
• Budget Form (Appendix 2, in English, in euros);
• Registration certificate;
• List of projects (2023–2025, donor + budget);
• CVs of key staff.

Send to: apply@iphronline.org Subject: “Lot №2 – Trial Stage Monitoring – [organization name]”.

📅 Info-session: 7 October 2025, 16:00 (Astana time)

📍 Format: online (link upon request)

📩 Request link by emailing omiroshnichenko@hotmail.com with subject “Info-session – Lot №2” before 7 October 2025, 15:00.

11. Evaluation Criteria

12. Special Conditions

• One organization/consortium may apply only once for Lot 2 and win only one competition among 5 lots.
• Lot 5 (Pre-trial stage, Sphere 6) will also be announced.

This publication was funded by the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Legal Policy Research Centre and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. This publication has been prepared within the project “Coordinated Civil Society Action to Promote the Rule of Law for All”, which is implemented by the Legal Policy Research Centre (LPRC) and the International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), with the financial support of the European Union.