[Original news] (https://bureau.kz/novosti/s-ponizheniem/)
Today, Civicus Monitor (a tool for working together, which evaluates and monitors compliance with the main freedoms in 197 countries and territories) has reduced Kazakhstan’s rating from “impede” to “repressive”.
The Civicus Monitor, with the participation of the International Partnership on Human Rights (Belgium) and the Kazakhstan International Bureau of Human Rights, assesses the progress or worsening of the provision of civil society in the context of freedoms enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.For a long time, Kazakhstan managed to take an average position, but everything began to deteriorate rapidly, starting in January 2022.
According to the press release of Civicus Monitor, such a rating is the second of the worst that the country can receive, and indicates that the main civil freedoms, including freedom of expression, associations and meetings, are strictly limited.Events were especially affected by and after the January protests, accompanied by violence, torture and political repression.
_ - this decrease occurs after the rapid reduction in the civil space observed after the January events, and is the culmination of the long -term tendency of deterioration of civil freedoms in Kazakhstan.This strengthens our concern about the situation there, _ - said Artsey, a researcher of civil space in Civicus.
Of particular concern was the inability or unwillingness of the authorities to conduct an independent investigation of the events of the Bloody January, since the investigation process initiated by the government is deprived of impartiality, especially in the context of the massive use of torture to detained and arrested.
_- The authorities must investigate all violations that were reported in connection with the January events, in full accordance with international standards and bring to just all the perpetrators in illegal detentions, excessive use of strength, torture and other violations, - says Brigitte Dufur, director of international human rights partnership.
Civicus Monitor, MPCH and KMBPCh are also concerned that the right to peaceful meetings in Kazakhstan is constantly limited.The revised meeting on meetings adopted in 2020, de facto retains the requirement to preliminary receive a permit for the meeting, although it formally provides for the notification procedure.Peaceful protests are regularly accelerated, protesters are delayed and punished.
In addition, the authorities enhance repressions against opposition movements, including two prohibited in the Republic of Kazakhstan - a democratic choice of Kazakhstan and Kosh Partyas, as well as an unregistered democratic party.
The ongoing practice of pursuing critics of the Government is contrary to the recent promises of President Tokayev to create “New Kazakhstan” and promote “political modernization,” the press release says.
In addition to changing the rating, Kazakhstan is placed in a “list of observations” with new neighbors - Salvador, India, Russia, Tunisia and the UAE.
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And today, Civicus Monitor has published a new review on the latest events in Kazakhstan under the name “The remaining concern for the lack of an impartial investigation of the events of the“ Bloody January ”” (in the English language).
_- If the authorities really want to create a new Kazakhstan, they must stop the persecution of civil society activists, opposition supporters, independent journalists and other persons criticizing the government and requiring democratic and social changes.They must release all persons recognized by human rights groups by political prisoners, and close cases against those who are charged with revenge for their legitimate implementation of fundamental freedoms, _ - the opinion of Evgeny Zhovtis, director of the KMBPCh is given.
Civicus is an international non -profit organization that calls itself a “global alliance designed to strengthen civil actions and civil society around the world.”Founded in 1993, today the organization has more than 8,500 members in more than 175 countries, the headquarters are located in Johannesburg, offices in Geneva and New York.