Digital Justice and the Right to a Fair Trial: Challenges of Videoconferencing in Criminal Proceedings

Saltanat Abisheva, Sergey Bachurin, Sergey Kadatsky, Andrey Brylevskiy, Ilya Koryakin

Abstract


This study examines remote criminal proceedings in Kazakhstan in light of the right to a fair trial and the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). A mixed-methods approach was applied, combining legal source analysis with case study examination of procedural practice. The analysis revealed gaps in the Criminal Procedure Code of Kazakhstan regarding videoconference hearings and identified the central problem of the accused’s objection to remote participation. Remote justice may enhance efficiency, but its application must not compromise fair trial guarantees, particularly effective defense rights and voluntary participation.

 

Keywords: right to a fair trial; criminal proceedings; remote court proceedings; digitalization; videoconference; European Court of Human Rights practice.


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.15408/jch.v13i1.50369

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