Kazakhstan - the detention of journalists, assault on press freedom and contempt for human rights

Kazakhstan. Imprisoned human rights defender Vadim Kuramshin! (blog)

""Cracking down on media is a well known tactic for authorities to silence dissent and stifle debate — and one Kazakhstan has made good use of in recent times.Since late 2013, over 30 media outlets have been closed in the country, over various administrative code violations or allegations of extremism." (Indexoncensorship)

UN Special rapporteur: "I am very worried about the safety of individuals I met during my trip, and generally concerned about the situation of human rights in Kazakhstan."






Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty: "Kazakh police detain journalists ahead of planned rally:"
http://www.rferl.org/content/kazakhstan-adam-bol-erghalieva-rally-arrests-almaty/26810757.html


Eurasianet: "Nazarbayev paints rosy picture on human rights"
http://www.eurasianet.org/node/71221
"Nazarbayev was speaking the same day that two high-profile cases which raise questions about political liberties and freedom of speech reached the courts. In one, the Adam Bol magazine – which was one of the last remaining independent media outlets in Kazakhstan – is fighting closure on the grounds that it allegedly called for war in its coverage of the Ukraine conflict. The case was adjourned until December 22."


Indexoncensorship.org: "Kazakhstan must halt assault of press freedom":
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2014/12/kazakhstan-must-halt-assault-press-freedom/
"Cracking down on media is a well known tactic for authorities to silence dissent and stifle debate — and one Kazakhstan has made good use of in recent times. Since late 2013, over 30 media outlets have been closed in the country, over various administrative code violations or allegations of extremism."

Index calls on Kazakhstan’s authorities to end the assault on the media and respect their citizens’ right to free expression.


ICC: "Kazakhstan: Freedom of religion in word but not in action":
http://www.persecution.org/2014/12/23/kazakhstan-freedom-of-religion-in-word-but-not-action/



Imprisoned human rights defender Vadim Kuramshin's blog:
http://www.kuramshyn.org/


Kazakhstan international bureau for human rights and rule of law:
http://www.bureau.kz/?l=en


Freeassembly.net United Nations special rapporteur:
http://freeassembly.net/rapporteurpressnews/statement-kazakhstan/
"I must state that I am deeply disappointed by an incident that has left me very worried about the safety of individuals I met during my trip, and generally concerned about the situation of human rights in Kazakhstan.--- unknown persons, sitting in the back seat of a vehicle parked directly facing the entrance of the venue, were taking photographs of individuals leaving the building. --- I am deeply disturbed at this incident"



Photo: KL