Tag: #ActivistsNotExtremists

Executive summary It has been a year since Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine. All this time, Kazakhstan’s Nazarbayev-Tokayev regime has been assisting Russia with impunity in circumventing sanctions and financing the war against Ukraine. On 28 February 2023, on the day of the first official visit to Kazakhstan by the U.S. Secretary of […]

On 29 November 2022, a court in Kyzylorda sentenced Kazybek Kudaibergenov to 17 years in prison. He was found guilty of “participation in the mass disorders” (Article 272 of the Criminal Code) during the January events, as well as “use of violence against a representative of the authority and attempt on the life of a […]

Disclaimer: This brief contains lists of political prisoners, victims of torture and mass shooting in January 2022, victims of political persecution, including Kazakhstani human rights defenders, and Karakalpakstani civil activists (at risk of extradition to Uzbekistan) – identified by human rights defenders. The lists are not exhaustive. The information provided in this brief has been […]

Uzbekistan hides the names of those killed, missing, and victims of mass arbitrary detentions The report was prepared by a coalition of human rights organisations #ActivistsNotExtremists, including the Open Dialogue Foundation, “Qaharman” Human Rights Foundation, “Elimay” Human Rights Movement, “Bostandyq Kz” Human Rights Initiative, “Femina Virtute” Human Rights Movement, “Article 14” Human Rights Movement, “405” […]

After the tragic January events, the Kazakhstani authorities publicly refused to ensure an international investigation into the matter and said they would conduct an objective and full investigation themselves

Key points In early January 2022, mass protests were held across Kazakhstan demanding that Nursultan Nazarbayev step down from power and extensive political reforms. The authorities declared protesters ‘terrorists’ and resorted to a violent crackdown on the protests, ordering to shoot to kill without warning. A Russian-led CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organisation) military force was […]

Kazakhstan’s official position: By 27 March 2022, neither president Tokayev nor the government of Kazakhstan has declared Kazakhstan’s support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity or has called on Russia to end its aggression against Ukraine. On 22 February 2022, just two days before Russia’s military attack on Ukraine, Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tleuberdi stated that “the issue […]

Mass protests in early January 2022 in Kazakhstan took place in 48 cities and over 40 localities. Growing repression, the deteriorating economic situation and bogus reforms caused this unprecedented social upheaval in the modern history of independent Kazakhstan.

This report is based on data, video and photo materials from eyewitnesses, activists, human rights defenders, peaceful protesters from more than 60 cities and villages in Kazakhstan, where protests were held. It also contains references to statements of the US, the EEAS, international organisations such as the UN, the OSCE, media outlets. In order to ensure safety of eyewitnesses, their names are not mentioned. Co-authors of this report, Raigul Sadyrbayeva and Aiya Sadvakasova, have been arrested under politically motivated criminal cases for their human rights activities. The authors of this report express their gratitude for all informants and volunteers, who contributed to this report despite risking their lives and freedom. The authors of the report extend their condolences to families, relatives and friends of those who lost their lives during these mass repressions. We strongly believe that the truth must be unravelled and perpetrators must be held accountable.

On 5 January 2022, 10 Human Rights NGOs, including the Open Dialogue Foundation, issued an appeal on the current protests taking place in Kazakhstan. Against the backdrop of the massive street protests against the government and the Nazarbayev regime, which were met with widespread repression, ODF and its partners have condemned the government’s violence and […]

1.  Introduction Tokayev’s deaf state After Kassym-Jomart Tokayev took over as President of Kazakhstan in 2019, he announced plans to implement the concept of a “listening state”, which means “supporting and strengthening civil society”. In September 2020, Tokayev stated that a priority issue for him was to “adopt new measures to protect human rights in […]

The political persecution of Barlyk Mendygaziyev is yet another example of how the Nazarbayev regime is taking hostages to fight political opponents. Barlyk Mendygaziyev is a businessman, philanthropist and human rights activist from Aksai, West-Kazakhstan Region living in the United States.

Kazakh regime flexes its muscles in the run-up to the January elections Tightening the authoritarian grip (source: Int. media coverage) Despite the encouraging news of Kazakhstan abolishing the death penalty on Jan 2nd, the wider picture is not all so rosy. With the elections approaching, the authorities put further pressure on the civil society – […]

Over the last 2.5 years, the authorities of Kazakhstan have arbitrarily detained over 7,000 peaceful protesters, which is an unprecedented amount in the history of the country.

In light of the statement by Mr Usen Suleimen on 16 September 2019 during Working Session 1, attempting to dismiss the serious human rights violations in Kazakhstan by defaming our foundation, we would like to briefly reply to Mr Suleimen’s deeply offensive accusations.