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Opinion: Open Dialog Foundation

Published

12 years ago

May 6, 2014

On 20 March, 2014 Vladimir Kozlov was moved to a penal colony closer to his last place of residence. This, according to Open Dialog Foundation (ODF), is a clear proof that pressure exerted by representatives of the European Union and the US on the Kazakh authorities may save lives and help those prosecuted for political reasons. Kozlov is not an isolated case, Roza Tuletayeva has also been recently transferred to a detention colony of minimal regime. Over time, we have seen a number of such cases.

However, according to civil society activist reports in Kazakhstan, visits of some European delegations are of a purely formal nature, or are openly being used to support the image of the Kazakh regime.

ODF requests a careful selection of European Parliament delegates for human rights missions, as well as a delegation visit to Vladimir Kozlov and pressure on Kazakh regime for the release of such political prisoners.

Three years in prison for an article: Journalists request Ukraine and the European Union’s protection from the oppression of Kazakh authorities

Aidos and Natalia Sadykov have both been persecuted in Kazakhstan for their journalistic activities, for criticising the regime. While Mrs Sadykova is being pursued in Criminal courts for her professional activity, her husband has been subjected to (increasingly commonplace in Kazakhstan) psychiatric examinations, unfair trials and inhumane treatment.

The couple has fled to Ukraine, where they continue their professional activity. Independent journalism is being strongly and forcibly repressed in Kazakhstan and the justice system is becoming a tool for exerting pressure on media outlets, all in violation of the right to freedom of expression.

The journalists request that the international community protect them from political oppression.

ODF calls on the Ukrainian authorities to protect Aidos and Natalia Sadykov until the date of departure of the Sadykov family to the territory of the European Union.

Independent and opposition media in Kazakhstan are on the brink of annihilation

This report describes the continuous increased repressions of independent journalism in Kazakhstan. In an attempt to avoid being subjected to the same fate as the former Ukrainian government, the Kazakh regime has further increased the repressive measures. This has included restrictive laws on media, pressure and intimidation tactics on journalists and written press, censorship and physical abuse and arrests of journalists by the State.ODF appeals for pressure on the Kazakh government to repeal these stringent laws repressing the right to expression and freedom of the press in the country.

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