Kazakhstan: Dangerous Precedent – Journalist At Risk

Journalist Alexander Kharlamov,63, was arrested and was 3 days later  accused of inciting religious strife on the grounds of his forthright atheist views and fears to be sent to a psychiatric institution. He writes a blog, is a regular contributor to the Ridderskiye Vesti and Flash newspapers, and heads a rights group called Secret Service. He is particularly well known for campaigning against corruption, and has written extensive on malpractice among municipal, police and prosecution service staff in his town. His case raises concerns about the misuse of psychiatric medicine for punitive ends, a practice common in the Soviet period.

 Article 164 of Kazakstan criminal code makes it illegal to engage in actions intended “to incite social, ethnic, clan, racial or religious enmity or animosity”, and refers also to “the ethnic honour and dignity or religious feelings of citizens”.

The criminal investigation experts appointed to assess Kharlamov’s published work, who concluded that 28 of the 36 articles they looked at qualified as incitement. One of the offending passages referred to religion in general as “an ideology based on primitive ideas and concepts, myths, lies and deception”.

Sergei Duvanov, a well-known journalist in Kazakstan, said the legal moves against Kharlamov were in clear breach of the right to freedom of expression. “He’s expressing his point of view. It doesn’t matter whether it’s correct or not, whether it coincides with the views of the majority of people, or whether he’s in the minority,” 

In a resolution from April 18, the European Parliament noted Kharlamov’s detention along with other cases where human rights activists and opposition members had been prosecuted. The resolution urged Kazakstan’s government to revoke Article 164 and called for talks on a new Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the European Union to be suspended until the country significantly improved its human rights record.

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Uzbekistan: 8 Years After Andijan Massacre. What Has Been Done By The EU?

On May 13, 2005, security forces in the city of Andijan, Uzbekistan, opened fire on protesters,  the majority  unarmed, killing hundreds of men, women and children  as they tried to flee. Till today no one has been held accountable, and the authoritarian president, Islam Karimov, has defied calls for an independent investigation. Instead the Uzbek authorities imprisoned dozens of human rights defenders and journalists and ejected human rights groups and international media from the country.

The European Union and its members expressed outrage in the immediate aftermath and imposed sanctions. But Uzbekistan has for over a decade  blocked access to 11 UN rights monitors, worse standing than even Iran, China or Turkmenistan. ICRC visits resumed in 2009 after being blocked  for five years. And the EU foreign ministers cited this as one of the “positive steps” allowing for lifting sanctions.  The last of those sanctions were lifted in 2009, though Uzbekistan met none of the human rights conditions the EU had set.

Will the EU be capable  of saying enough is enough as Since then Uzbekistan’s reputation as one of the world’s worst human rights abusers has only grown.

Will the EU and its allies ask the UN Human Rights Council to appoint a country rapporteur to draw global attention to the human rights disaster in Uzbekistan and force an international debate about its abuses. (Human Rights Watch).

Freedom Of Speech Index for 2012

Reporters Without Borders has published its annual Freedom of the Press Index for 2012:

Uzbekistan occupied 164th place out of 179 countries. From last year’s index Uzbekistan moved down seven notches which shows the deterioration of the situation journalists face in the country. Uzbekistan remained a nightmare for journalists. Dictatorship of President Islam Karimov controlled the Internet, pressured the media and punished independent journalists using courts.

It was a good news to hear, that The UNHCR in Kyrgyzstan granted refugee status to Uzbek journalist Elena Bondar. Pressure on Bondar – threatening phone calls and aggressive treatment by law enforcement officers – forced the young journalist to flee Uzbekistan and seek refugee status.

The worse situation is only in Turkmenistan with the regime of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov. Turkmenistan came 177th on the index, along with Eritrea and North Korea which came on the bottom of the index.

Kazachstan occupied 16oth, Tajikistan 123rd and   Kyrgyzstan 106th place.

Russia came 148th, falling six notches from last year which is explained by repressions and the suppression of protests after Vladimir Putin came to power.

Moldova, Armenia and Georgia fared the best coming 55th, 74th and 100th.

Personality cult in Turkmenistan. President Berdymukhamedov introduced minimal reforms but heaped honours upon himself. For his 50th birthday, he awarded himself the Watan (Motherland) Order, a gold and diamond pendant weighing about 1 kilogram for his “outstanding achievements” in his barely six months in office.

Uzbekistan And The Freedom Of Religion

“Since Uzbekistan gained independence in 1991, its government has systematically and egregiously violated freedom of religion or belief, as well as other human rights.” The US commission on International Religious Freedom said in its report in 2013.

It was estimated that  Uzbekistan has from 5,000 to 10,000 prisoners of conscience.

The commission said Uzbekistan should not receive US military equipment or aid unless it shows real respect for religious freedoms and organisations responsible for gross violations of freedom of religion should not be included in a list of recipients.

In 2003, in response to the worsening human rights situation, Washington stopped military aid to Uzbekistan but at the beginning of 2012 the Obama administration cancelled this embargo.
On 18 January 2012 US State Secretary Hillary Clinton signed a decree to send non-lethal military equipment to Uzbekistan.
The document is in force only until September 2013 when it should be renewed and revised every six months.

 

 

 

Uzbekistan´s Imprisoned Human Rights Defenders

Европарламент Kритикует Казахстан За Cитуацию C Правами Чeловека

Депутаты Европарламента приняли резолюцию большинством голосов на пленарном заседании 18 апреля 2013, в которой подвергли критике власти Казахстана за состояние с правами человека в республике.

 В резолюции подвергли критике судебные решения о запрете оппозиционных партий, в частности незарегистрированной партии “Алга” (“Вперед”), а также независимых СМИ. Депутаты также призвали ослабить ограничения для регистрации и деятельности религиозных организаций, а также уважать право работников на создание независимых профсоюзов.

Европейский парламент вновь выразил обеспокоенность в связи с заключением лидеров оппозиции, журналистов и адвокатов по результатам судебных процессов, не соответствующих международным стандартам. В документе звучит призыв освободить осужденных на основании уголовных дел, которые могут считаться политически мотивированными, в частности, Владимира Козлова и Вадима Курамшина.

“Репортеры без границ” не любят президента Нурсултана Назарбаева, считают его одним из самых убежденных противников свободы печати. В реестре этой правозащитной организации Казахстан находится на 160 месте по уровню независимости средств массовой информации из 179 возможных.

Kazakhstan: Authorities seek closure of independent, critical media

Prosecuting authorities are seeking to close down independent media outlets Respublika and Vzglyad, the satellite TV station K+, the news portal Stan.tv, and all websites linked to these outlets as they are critical of President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s government. The prosecutor links the independent media to what it calls the “extremism” of the two main opposition parties, Alga and Khalyk Maydany, and accuses the outlets of “extremist propaganda”.In August 2011, a similar charge of “extremism” was used to block access to LiveJournal, a popular blog platform.

Nursultan Nazarbayev is one of the world’s longest-serving presidents, a man who has driven opponents into exile and who  won his elections with more than 90% of the vote. International monitors have sharply criticised Kazakhstan‘s presidential election, citing numerous cases of ballot-box stuffing, voter intimidation and a lack of transparency.

Human rights in Kazakhstan

European Parliament debated and adopted by a large majority the resolution on 18.4.2013 , calling to protect human rights in Kazakhstan. Parliament strongly criticised the court decision to ban opposition parties, including the unregistered ´Alga!` party, as well as independent media actors. It also called for restrictions on the registration and practice of religion to be eased and for workers rights to form independent labour unions to be upheld.

The House reiterated its concern at the detention of opposition leaders, journalists and lawyers on the basis of trials which fall short of international standards and called again for the release of persons convicted on the basis of vague criminal charges, which could be considered to be politically motivated, including Vladimir Kozlov and Vadim Kurashim. MEPs also stressed that Aliya Turusbekova cannot be held responsible for the actions of third persons.

New NGO in Geneva: The Future of Human Rights Forum

The Future of Human Rights Forum (FHRF) is an international, non-profit, non-governmental organization devoted to the protection and effective application of fundamental human rights and individual freedoms.

With its headquarters in Geneva, at the heart of the human rights community, the FHRF works with grassroots political organizations, journalists, police experts and the United Nations. The FHRF encourages constructive approaches for strengthening democratic institutions and supports freedom of opinion and expression so as to ensure transparency and accountability in the international system and in countries of concern.

Serious human rights violations happen daily. Current protection systems are lacking. Crucial reforms are needed. The problems in current human rights institutions are often publicized, however, there is insufficient focus on finding solutions and bringing them to the public’s attention. It is in this field, that the FHRF seeks to play an active, constructive and responsible role.

Join FHRF and assist this process!

For more information contact info@fhrf.org

http://www.fhrf.org/en/

Martin Ennals Award Nominees 2012 – Luon Sovath, a Buddhist monk in Cambodia

Martin Ennals Award Nominees 2012

Luon Sovath, a Buddhist monk in Cambodia

Activist monk Luon Sovath has been internationally recognized for his work in documenting land rights abuses in Cambodia. He is using his camera and his phone for recording the systematic violations of the economic and social rights. He has been banned from staying in temples by Cambodia’s Buddhist establishment but has continued to rally for rights of people forced from their land or homes by development projects.

Russia’s Secret ‘Visa Blacklist’ Longer Than America’s

Russia’s list of U.S. citizens unwanted in the country is longer than the U.S. “visa blacklist” of officials involved in the case of Sergei Magnitsky’s death, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

According to Lavrov, Russia reserves the right to unilaterally amend the blacklist to make it longer or shorter.

When asked if U.S. congressmen known for their criticism of Russia are on the list, Lavrov said all the necessary details have already been reported.

“The names won’t be disclosed.”

Book About Russian Opposition Politician Eduard Limonov

A biographical book about Russian opposition politician and writer Eduard Limonov has received a literary award in France. The Renaudot Prize was awarded to the book’s author Emmanuel Carrere.

The book is not just a biography of a man, but also a historical-political research of the context.
Limonov’s name is firmly associated with scandals. A writer and a journalist, Limonov has always drawn attention to his persona by his radical political views and organization of unauthorized meetings and marches. He is also one of the main activists behind the Strategy 31 initiative, defending Article 31 of the constitution, which guarantees the freedom of assembly.
After having read the book, Eduard Limonov posted on his blog saying “Sometimes friendly, sometimes hostile. I can feel that the author is an intellectual and a bourgeois.”
“I wonder what the critics will have to say. Will any Russian publisher dare to let out this book? …Oh, I would be amused!” Limonov writes.

The Renaudot Prize was established back in 1926 by journalists and critics as an addition to the Goncourt.

Russia: Putin Awards Opposition Journalist

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has announced state awards to opposition journalists including Mikhail Beketov, who was left disabled after a severe beating following a confrontation with the Khimki city administration about a Putin-backed road construction.

The move comes two weeks after a U.S. State Department official traveled to Khimki to speak with local activists, promising to “redouble” U.S. efforts to press Russia on human rights.

The list also includes Yelena Petrovskaya of the liberal Novaya Gazeta newspaper; Fyodor Lukyanov, editor-in-chief of the Russia in Global Affairs journal and a contributor to The Moscow Times; and the outgoing editor-in-chief of the Vokrug Sveta travel magazine, Sergei Parkhomenko.

The award comes with a cash prize will be handed out on Jan. 13, Russian Press Day, which marks the date that the first Russian newspaper was published on Peter the Great’s orders in 1713.

Kazakhstan: Journalists Beaten While Trying To Cover Workers’ Strike

Two journalists were attacked and beaten with baseball bats today while on their way to film a strike by oil workers in the western province of Mangystau.

“There were many witnesses and the car used by the attackers has been identified. We demand a swift and impartial investigation. The completely impunity enjoyed by those responsible for the many violent attacks in connection with the strike is intolerable. The authorities must end the impunity at once or be regarded as accomplices.”
Their assailants repeatedly hit them with baseball bats and used a pistol to fire rubber bullets at them. Both were hospitalized.

The strike by oil workers in Mangystau has continued for more than three months despite the use of violence by the authorities in an attempt to suppress it.

Russian Journalist Deported From Belarus, Deny Acces For 3 Years

Moskovsky reporter Igor Karmazin, who arrived in Minsk to report on the imprisoned opposition politicians, was deported from the country.

The reporter met with Nikita Likhovidov, who was found guilty and then pardoned by President Alexander Lukashenko and with journalist Irina Khalip, a wife of former presidential candidate Andrei Sannikov.
After interviewing Khalip two men came up to Karmazin and asked him to follow them. He was taken to a police station, searched and had all the files on his voice recorder erased. They questioned him about what he was talking to Khalip about and fingerprinted him.
Then the Russian journalist was given a paper barring him from entering Belarus, under threat of three years in prison if he was to do so.
His deportation was recorded in his passport. The journalist was then put on a train back to Moscow.

Tony Blair As Consultant Set Up Office In Kazakhstan

Allegedly Mr Blair has added Kazakhstan, ruled by Mr Nazarbayev since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, to his consultancy business.

Mr Nazarbayev’s adviser, appeared to confirm this and also said that Mr Blair and his team had opened an office in Astana, the Kazakh capital.
“A large working group is here and, to my knowledge, it has already opened Tony Blair’s permanent office in Astana.
I have met with his people already and we discussed the socio-political modernisation of our country. I liked his people, the range of questions they discussed and their professionalism.”

Tony Blair Associates, Mr Blair’s company, later denied the former Prime Minister or any of his companies were currently involved in the deal.

ECHR: Tashukhadzhiyev v. Russia

Case Tashukhadzhiyev v. Russia

Russian authorities failed to effectively investigate young man’s disappearance in Chechnya.

Then 26-year-old son, Elbek Tashukhadzhiyev, was working as a petrol tanker driver when he was stopped and detained in February 1996 by a group of military servicemen near the village of Berkat-Yurt in Chechnya; he has not been seen since.

The European Court of Human Rights held, unanimously, that there had been a violation of Article 2 (right to life:obligation to conduct an effective investigation) and of Article 13 (right to an effective remedy)in conjunction with Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Court further held, by a majority, that there had been a violation of Article 5 (right to liberty and security).