Voices of Kazakhstan #3: pre-election review of human rights situation (23 Dec-3 Jan)

Voices of Kazakhstan #3: pre-election review of human rights situation (23 Dec-3 Jan)

05.01.2021

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 – […]

Kazakhstan’s Kafkaesque dictatorship: the authorities “playing rodeo” with its critics

Kazakhstan’s Kafkaesque dictatorship: the authorities “playing rodeo” with its critics

24.12.2020

On Dec 21st, armed to teeth Kazakhstani officers stormed the houses and farms of Eric and Kalyk Mendigazievs. As the official line went, they were investigating the theft of 10 horses. In a rush to find them, they checked all the usual places: wardrobes, baths, and sofas – not bothering to visit the stables… This ludicrous operation of the security forces has taken aback even the horses’ owner himself, stunned that the theft was used as a pretext for harassment of his fellow farmers. Yet, this kafkaesque sequence of events has become depressingly familiar to those monitoring the ways and means of pursuing the opponents and critics of the regime. And, although the story sounds all Borat, unlike Borat that is just a comedy, the ongoing situation in the country is a far cry from it. The odd “rodeo” played by the authorities is really just another attempt to silence Eric and Kalyk’s close relative and human rights defender, Barlyk Mendigaziev.

Voices of Kazakhstan #2: pre-election review of human rights situation

Voices of Kazakhstan #2: pre-election review of human rights situation

23.12.2020

Please, listen to the citizens of Kazakhstan January 10, 2021, is upon us, and with it comes a critical time for Kazakhstani civil society. With the parliamentary election looming large, the authorities are trying to ruthlessly silence any voice of dissent. Meanwhile, Kazakhstan plays a deceptive game with the international community by inviting – to […]

Italian Senator Emma Bonino demands Italy’s MFA to condemn human rights violations in Kazakhstan

Italian Senator Emma Bonino demands Italy’s MFA to condemn human rights violations in Kazakhstan

09.12.2020

On 25 November 2020, Italian Senator and Member of the Special Commission on Human Rights, Emma Bonino, submitted a written question (WQ) to Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi di Maio. The WQ is particularly focused on the case of the political killing of Zhanbolat Agadil and the request for individual sanctions on violators of human rights in Kazakhstan.

Italian MPs alarmed by the human rights backsliding in Kazakhstan

Italian MPs alarmed by the human rights backsliding in Kazakhstan

07.12.2020

On 25 November 2020, 6 members of the Italian Parliament addressed President Tokayev with a letter, expressing their deep concern about the worrying state of fundamental freedoms in Kazakhstan; the mass repression puts Kazakhstan’s international credibility and its intention of becoming a ‘listening state’ (i.e. open to dialogue with civil society) at stake right before its parliamentary election.

Oppositionist Therefore Extremist

Oppositionist Therefore Extremist

01.12.2020

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.

The Open Dialogue Foundation’s Case Dossier Compromises the Internal Security Agency

The Open Dialogue Foundation’s Case Dossier Compromises the Internal Security Agency

17.11.2020

he information in the case dossier maintained by the Internal Security Agency [ABW] and collected in the course of an investigation against the Open Dialogue Foundation has been either derived from unreliable sources, or just known for years – claims Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.

What dirt the Internal Security Agency has on Kozlovska

What dirt the Internal Security Agency has on Kozlovska

17.11.2020

We learned the content of the dossier prepared by the Internal Security Agency as part of the investigation against Lyudmyla Kozlovska. As it turns out, these documents strongly undermine the credibility of the Agency. The information contained in the documents comes either from unreliable sources or has been known for years.

Political killings in Kazakhstan and the need to impose personal sanctions. Our intervention at the OSCE meeting

Political killings in Kazakhstan and the need to impose personal sanctions. Our intervention at the OSCE meeting

13.11.2020

On 10 November 2020, our advocacy officer Maksym Sytnikov brought attention to the murder of human rights activist and blogger Dulat Agadil in February 2020 during an OSCE meeting. The session was held on the topic: the role of society in advancing the right to freedom of religion or belief for all. In this context, the prosecution of a minimum of 183 people for taking part in the memorial ceremonies in honour of Dulat demonstrates the worsening human rights situation in Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan: MEPs are shocked by the deaths of human rights activists

Kazakhstan: MEPs are shocked by the deaths of human rights activists

31.10.2020

On October 16, 2020, two letters signed by twenty-four MEPs representing 14 EU Member States addressed Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in the context of the extremely worrying human rights trend in the country.

Servants of the regime: sanction list of persons accountable for gross human rights violations in Kazakhstan

Servants of the regime: sanction list of persons accountable for gross human rights violations in Kazakhstan

28.10.2020

In authoritarian Kazakhstan, civil society representatives are subjected to arbitrary detention, criminal prosecution, imprisonment and torture for public and human rights activities, participation in peaceful protests and criticism of the authorities through social networks.

DCK leader Mukhtar Ablyazov receives political asylum in France

DCK leader Mukhtar Ablyazov receives political asylum in France

05.10.2020

We are pleased to inform you that on 29 September 2020, the National Asylum Court of France delivered a historical decision granting refugee status to Kazakhstani opposition leader Mukhtar Ablyazov.

Systemic Misconduct by the European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan on Human Rights Issues

Systemic Misconduct by the European Union Delegation to Kazakhstan on Human Rights Issues

02.10.2020

Since 2010, the Open Dialogue Foundation (ODF) has been monitoring the human rights situation in Kazakhstan, partnering up with foreign missions on the ground – including the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan – to ensure a continuous dialogue with civil society on serious human rights concerns in the country. However, in sharp contrast with our experience in reaching out to the EU Delegations to Moldova, Ukraine and Russia, we regret to notice that, starting from 2018, the EU Delegation to Kazakhstan – and particularly Mr Zoltan Szalai, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation – has shown reticence in engaging in high profile cases and as well as cooperation with the Foundation, its partner NGOs and volunteers on the ground. Below we summarise the debunking of the most common arguments which have been used against the Foundation to discredit its human rights work.

Political Killing in Kazakhstan. List of persons to be subjected to sanctions regarding the case of Dulat Agadil

Political Killing in Kazakhstan. List of persons to be subjected to sanctions regarding the case of Dulat Agadil

01.10.2020

1. Introduction Dulat Agadil is a well-known human rights activist and blogger who lived in the village of Talapker near Nur-Sultan (Astana). Dulat Agadil was one of the most famous leaders of the protest movement in Kazakhstan (especially in the Kazakh-speaking environment). He took part in rallies and protest of the opposition movements ‘Democratic Choice […]

The Authoritarian Epidemic: Safeguarding Human Rights in Times of COVID-19

The Authoritarian Epidemic: Safeguarding Human Rights in Times of COVID-19

21.07.2020

Upon the initiative of the Italian Senator Roberto Rampi
the Italian Federation for Human Rights (FIDU) and the Open Dialogue Foundation (ODF)
invite you to the press conference “The Authoritarian Epidemic: Safeguarding Human Rights in Times of COVID-19”.