Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2005 - Kazakhstan
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 22 March 2006 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2005 - Kazakhstan, 22 March 2006, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48747cc32f.html [accessed 7 June 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. |
Law against extremism18
A law against extremism, which had been presented to Parliament in April 2004, came into force on 18 February 2005, after being signed by the President of the Republic, Mr. Nursultan Nazarbayev. This law provides that organisers of demonstrations and gatherings will be held responsible if "extremists" participate. There is a danger that this provision, which might be arbitrarily applied, will discourage peaceful assemblies and demonstrations from being held.
Harassment of KIBHR19
In March 2005, at a press conference, Mr. Bolot Baikadamov, Ombudsman, declared that the poor image of Kazakhstan on the international stage was due to reports by the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (KIBHR), which, according to him, blackened the human rights situation in the country. These words, which followed the Ombudsman's interview with Mr. Nazarbayev, were widely reported in national press and on television.
In addition, on 13 August 2005, KIBHR premises in Almaty were burgled. The thieves removed computer equipment containing information on the organisation's activities.
The criminal police in Almaty and several representatives from the Department of Home Affairs were ordered to inquire into these events. However, due to the lack of proof, the inquiry was suspended for an undetermined period of time.
Arrest of Mr. Lutfullo Shamsudinov20
Mr. Lutfullo Shamsudinov, an Uzbek lawyer who was investigating into the events of Andijan,21 was arrested on 4 July 2005, after fleeing Uzbekistan for fear of reprisals, and imprisoned following an extradition order by the government of Uzbekistan. He was arrested despite the decision of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to grant Mr. Shamsudinov a refugee status.
On 12 July 2005, he was finally released, placed under the protection of UNHCR, and since then has found refuge abroad.
[Refworld note: This report as posted on the FIDH website (www.fidh.org) was in pdf format with country chapters run together by region. Footnote numbers have been retained here, so do not necessarily begin at 1.]
18. See Annual Report 2004.
19. See the Observatory statement before OSCE, under the item of the agenda "Freedom of association and peaceful assembly", September 2005.
20. See Urgent Appeal KAZ 001/0805/OBS 073.
21. See below.
