On June 22-23th, our Maksym Sytnikov addressed the issue of violations of freedom of expression and media in Kazakhstan, calling the OSCE bodies to respond to cases of censorship. The intervention took place during the second Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting (SHDM).
On the occasion of snap Presidential election in Kazakhstan announced for June 9, the Open Dialogue Foundation (ODF) has listed a set of recommendations on the human rights record in Kazakhstan for the EU, OSCE PA and foreign missions on the ground.
ODF, FIDU and KHISR present this Submission with recommendations within the framework of the consideration of the UPR of Kazakhstan. Over more than nine years, ODF has presented expert opinion on human rights in Kazakhstan, obtaining information from first hand and in-country experience.
The recent political, reform agenda, human rights and media freedom situation in Moldova were debated today in the European Parliament in Brussels at a conference organised by Members Anna Fotyga, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Renate Weber and Rebecca Harms in co-operation with the Open Dialog Foundation.
In a recent interview conducted by Domenico Letizia for Cronache di Napoli, an Italian newspaper, Anna Koj, head of the Open Dialog’s EU Office, spoke about the Foundation’s work in promoting democracy and the rule of law in the post-Soviet states.
In April 2015, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights initiated consultations on the development of recommendations, aimed at creating of a favourable environment for civil society’s activities.
On 30 March, 2016, Jean-Claude Juncker met with Nursultan Nazarbayev – a dictator, who has single-handedly governed Kazakhstan for over 25 years. The President of the European Commission stated that his ‘good friend’ Nazarbayev was ‘sensitive’ to the problems of human rights.
The Open Dialog Foundation, an international NGO active in promotion, support and protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the post-Soviet area supports a political asylum request filed to the Dutch authorities by a Turkmen citizen, Mr Uhmyt Hallyyev and his family.
On Thursday, 25 February 2016, the Open Dialog Foundation and the Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty organised a working lunch dedicated to the topic of persecution of independent media and political opposition in Central Asia.
On Tuesday, 26 January 2016, the Open Dialog Foundation and the Estonian Member of the European Parliament Mrs Marju Lauristin (Socialists and Democrats) organised a high-level working breakfast at the European Parliament in Brussels dedicated to the topic of media freedom in Kazakhstan.
On Tuesday, 26 January 2016, the Open Dialog Foundation and the Estonian Member of the European Parliament Mrs Marju Lauristin (Socialists and Democrats) organised a high-level working breakfast at the European Parliament in Brussels dedicated to the topic of media freedom in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan demands that administrations of social networks disclose personal data of independent journalists, bloggers and political opponents. In retaliation for criticism, the authorities bring criminal charges of ‘spreading false information’ against inconvenient journalists.
Journalists of the online portal ‘Nakanune.kz’ Guzal Baidalinova and Rafael Balgin have been taken into custody and placed under arrest for 2 months. Their colleague, Yulia Kozlova is also facing arrest. The journalists are being prosecuted under Art. 274 of the Criminal Code of the Kazakhstan.
On 18 December 2015, police raided the editorial office of the online portal ‘Nakanune.kz’ as well as apartments of the journalists: Gyuzyal Baidalinova, Yulia Kozlova and Rafael Balgin. The journalists may face charges of ‘spreading false information’.
While rejecting criticism from the international community, Kazakhstan is tightening its grip on civil society. However, a desire to preserve its image forces authorities to resort to making some concessions in the cases of political prisoners.
