Kazakhstan: Information on the treatment of Tatars and the state protection available to them
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | KKT22174.E |
| Related Document(s) | Kazakhstan: Update to Response to Information Request KKT22174.E of 6 November 1995 on the treatment of Tatars and the state protection available to them |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Kazakhstan: Information on the treatment of Tatars and the state protection available to them, 1 November 1995, KKT22174.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab3558.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
In telephone interviews on 1 and 6 November 1995, a research analyst who specializes in Central Asia at Prague's Open Media Research Institute (OMRI), a research institute dedicated to the study of the former Soviet Union and east-central and south-eastern Europe, provided the following information. The Tatars are one of over one hundred distinct ethnic groups in Kazakhstan. The Tatars, for historical reasons, are not liked by many ethnic Kazakhs who are the dominant ethnic group in Kazakhstan; the Tatars are regarded as European outsiders. They keep their ethnic identity to themselves or a close circle of friends and do not disclose it to others for fear of repercussions or public disdain.
The research analyst has not heard of any reports of violence against Tatars, but added that if any incidents had occurred it would have been unlikely for them to appear in the media. Additional information on the treatment of Tatars could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.
The research analyst added that ethnic groups that are non-indigenous and numerically small have little chance of legal recourse if mistreated. The research analyst has heard of reports of members of another minority group, the Cossacks, complaining to the police that they were beaten and robbed by ethnic Kazakhs, but being unable to obtain legal redress. It is unlikely, according to the analyst, that the authorities would do more than the "bare minimum" to apprehend the perpetrators of violence committed against non-indigenous ethnic groups.
According to the last page of the Human Rights in Kazakhstan Informative Analytic Bulletin published by the Almaty Helsinki Committee, "there is still dependence of judges upon the executive power organs" (July 1995, 39). A similar statement is on page 858 of the Country Reports for 1994, which is available at Regional Documentation Centres: "Government interference and pressure compromise the court system's independence" (1995).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB 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 sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Human Rights in Kazakhstan Informative Analytic Bulletin. July 1995. No. 1. "Violation of the Right to a Fair and Independent Court."
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1994. 1995. United States Department of State. Washington, DC: United States government Printing Office.
Open Media Research Institute (OMRI), Prague. 6 November 1995. Telephone interview with research analyst.
_____. 1 November 1995. Telephone interview with research analyst.
Attachment
Human Rights in Kazakhstan Informative Analytic Bulletin. July 1995. No. 1, pp. 1, 38-40.
Other Sources Consulted
Amnesty International Report. Yearly.
DIRB country file on Kazakhstan.
Foreign Broadcast Information Service (FBIS) Reports. Daily.
Monitor [Washington]. Bi-Monthly.
On-line search of media sources.
Open Media Research Institute (OMRI), Prague. Transition. Bi-Monthly.
Other oral sources.
Revue européenne des migrations internationales [Poitiers]. Tri-Annually.
RFE/RL Research Reports [Munich]. Weekly.
Uncaptive Minds [New York]. Quarterly.
