Activists demand immediate release of Kazakh land-law protesters
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 May 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Activists demand immediate release of Kazakh land-law protesters, 30 May 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5769018648.html [accessed 19 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. |
May 30, 2016
By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
ALMATY – Leading rights activists and journalists in Kazakhstan have called on the authorities to immediately release dozens of individuals arrested for taking part in or calling for unsanctioned mass protests against land privatization legislation.
Members of the Arasha (Interference), a committee for the release of land law protesters that was established on May 26, said at a press conference in Almaty on May 30 that the protesters were "illegally arrested" for trying to exercise their right of freedom of assembly.
Hundreds of activists were detained ahead of planned May 21 nationwide protests against new legislation to privatize agricultural land.
The majority of them were released, but some were fined or sent to prison for 10 to 15 days.
Several activists were ordered into pretrial detention as charges of inciting social discord are investigated.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
