Kazakhstan

As the Kazakh government seeks global recognition, its claims to rule of law and human rights improvements are not matched by demonstrable reform. Instead, Kazakhstan’s human rights situation continues to deteriorate. Authorities suppress independent trade union activity and have closed trade unions and imprisoned trade union leaders. Authorities also target government critics, including journalists, with politically motivated or vague, overbroad criminal charges. Freedom of assembly is restricted, with police regularly breaking up unauthorized protests and arbitrarily detaining and sanctioning participants. The government is considering legislative amendments that appear to propose even further restrictions on freedom of religion. Impunity for torture and ill-treatment in detention persist.