Politically Motivated Incidents in Kazakhstan

The U.S. is increasingly concerned about a pattern of politically motivated incidents in Kazakhstan that appear intended to intimidate opposition politicians and journalists. These include corruption trials against political opposition leaders and harassment of the mass media.

We have observed with increasing dismay multiple attacks on independent media outlets and incidents designed to intimidate journalists who have reported on political opposition activities and alleged financial improprieties of senior Kazakhstani officials.

While we support rooting out corruption as essential for good governance and rule of law and are not in a position to comment on the guilt or innocence of individuals on trial, we cannot condone selective prosecution that singles out leaders of the legitimate political opposition, as in the cases of two founders of the "Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan" movement Galymzhan Zhakiyanov and Mukhtar Ablyazov. These cases appear to be part of a campaign to target selectively political opponents.

We note with concern that the enactment of a new Law on Political Parties, which, through greatly increased membership requirements, could effectively exclude most of Kazakhstan's existing political parties from participating in efforts to build a democratic political system.

We support ODIHR's assessment of this law. Therefore we call on Kazakhstan's leaders to reverse this antidemocratic trend and to rededicate themselves to protecting and advancing the basic democratic tenets of political pluralism, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.

We call on Kazakhstan's authorities to: investigate fully and transparently attacks on media outlets; end selective prosecution of opposition politicians; and ensure that the new Law on Political Parties is implemented in a manner consistent with Kazakhstan's international commitments.

The United States continues to maintain that respect for the right of all Kazakhstanis to participate in a democratic political process is fundamental to Kazakhstan's long-term stability and security.