Kazakhstan: The harassment of the Orleu Party's chairman, Seidakhmet Kuttykadam (1998-2002)

A 9 July 1999 news brief reported that the Orleu Party leader, Seydakhmet Kuttykadam, or Quttyqadam, had been "warned" by the Almaty City authorities that he "had broken some regulations and laws of Kazakhstan recently" (RFE/RL). Reportedly, a letter sent to Kuttykadam by the Medeu District Procuracy stated that he had publicly "slandered the Kazakh government and hurt the dignity of the Kazakh President during his last visit to Taraz City, South Kazakhstan" (RFE/RL 9 July 1999). A chapter in the Kazakh Criminal Code purportedly criminalizes public slanders against the president, an offence punishable by imprisonment (ibid.). According to an October 1999 Human Rights Watch report, the allegations of slander were based on a Kuttykadam's call for the president's resignation in a speech made before a rally in February 1999.

Referring to the above-mentioned letter, a later news brief reported that the Orleu Party's press service had released a written clarification stating that "no criminal case had been started against Mr. Quttyqadam officially yet, he was just warned" (RFE/RL 3 Aug. 1999). As well, the Human Rights Watch report further stated that "Kuttykadam was nonetheless able to register as a candidate in a single mandate district in Almaty in August [1999]" (Oct. 1999).

A 25 February 2000 article reported on allegations of "persecution" made by Kuttykadam (Interfax-Kazakhstan). According to the article, Kuttykadam had affirmed that he and his family were being "persecuted by officers of the republic's National Security Committee" (Interfax-Kazakhstan 25 Feb. 2000). Orleu's leader reportedly alleged that, beginning in 1994, the special services had been exerting "tough pressure" on him (ibid.). Amongst other incidents, Kuttykadam stated that he had been forced to abandon his post of senior editor of the Aray magazine, that his family had received "threatening" telephone calls, and that he had been followed constantly by a "spy vehicle" and had his telephone calls monitored (ibid.).

A 16 April 1999 article reported that Kuttykadam had complained that Almaty city authorities "were creating obstacles and pressure upon his party" (RFE/RL). According to the article, Party members had been planning to hold a meeting in a particular building, but, at the last moment, officials had refused them access, forcing the meeting to take place elsewhere (RFE/RL 16 Apr. 1999).

Several sources reported on the vandalization of Kuttykadam's apartment (ibid. 5 Apr. 2000; RCA 5 Dec. 2000; Country Reports 2000 23 Feb. 2001). Reportedly, in the night proceeding a March 2000 demonstration, the apartment doors of several opposition figures, including Kuttykadam's, were cemented and jammed shut (ibid.; RFE/RL 5 Apr. 2000). As well, the entranceways to the buildings were painted with "offensive and threatening graffiti" and their telephone lines were cut (ibid.). While government officials denied the charges, the three opposition figures publicly held government agents responsible for the acts (Country Reports 2000 23 Feb. 2001). Despite what was described as the "well-organized and coordinated character of the assault," police investigations into the incidents did not result in anyone being brought to trial (RCA 5 Dec. 2000).

A 4 March 2000 article reported that Kuttykaddam had told journalists that, in an effort to "influence" his "political viewpoints," "unknown persons," presumably members of the Kazakh National Security Committee, had filmed him in a sauna with his "girlfriend" (RFE/RL). Reportedly, following Kuttykadam's announcement that he intended to continue his political activities, the film was given to a television channel belonging to the holding company of the president's daughter and subsequently placed on the Internet (RCA 5 Dec. 2000). A Freedom House report further stated that, following the footage's release, "Kuttykadam has virtually ended his political activities" (2001).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2000. 23 February 2001. United States Department of State. Washington, DC. [Accessed 17 Oct. 2002]

Freedom House. 2001. Nations in Transit 2002. "Kazakhstan." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2002]

Human Rights Watch (HRW). October 1999. Vol 11, No. 11 (D). "Freedom of the Media and Political Freedoms in the Prelude to the 1999 Elections." [Accessed 15 Oct. 2002]

Interfax-Kazakhstan. 25 February 2000. "Kazakh Opposition Leader Alleges Persecution by Special Services." (BBC Worldwide Monitoring 26 Feb. 2000/NEXIS).

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). 5 April 2000. "Apartment Doors of Opposition Figures Painted and Vandalized." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2002]

_____. 4 March 2000. "Leader of Orleu Movement in Britain." [Accessed 18 Oct. 2002]

_____. 3 August 1999. "Leader of Orleu Party Warned by Almaty Procuracy." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2002]

_____. 9 July 1999. "Leader of Orleu Party Warned By Almaty Procuracy." [Accessed 17 Oct. 2002]

_____. 16 April 1999. "Leader of Orleu Party Complains." [Accessed 15 Oct. 2002]

Reporting Central Asia (RCA), Institute for War and Peace Reporting, London. 5 December 2000. No. 32. Rozlana Taukina. "The Kazak Authorities Are Attempting to Curb the Activities of their Political Opponents." [Accessed 18 Oct. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

NEXIS

Internet sites including:

BBC

Council of European Union

European Country of Origin Information Network

Institute for War and Peace Reporting

International Crisis Group

International Eurasian Institute for Economic and Political Research

International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights

World News Connection

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