Kazakhstan

President Nazarbayev has introduced increasingly severe restrictions on freedom of expression. The work of civil society is obstructed by legislation passed in 2016 to regulate foreign funding received by NGOs. The government’s plans to pass a new media law threatens to further limit independent media. Critical journalists and human rights defenders face trumped-up criminal charges and groundless defamation cases. State surveillance of online communications is pervasive and several social media users have been imprisoned on dubious ‘incitement’ charges. Freedom of assembly is also heavily restricted. Following peaceful demonstrations against land reform in 2016, protest leaders received lengthy jail sentences. Violence and hate speech against LGBT people are prevalent among politicians, the media and society.

ARTICLE 19  works to build resilience of independent journalists, civil society and activists in Kazakhstan to the range of risks they face. We support local lawyers to defend expression related cases through international human rights mechanisms and organise trainings and protection programmes for independent media outlets. Working with local partners, we engage on legislative reform: challenging proposals to introduce new restrictions. We also work to increase participation of LGBT activists in broader civil society initiatives, through capacity building and increasing activists’ abilities to protect themselves when speaking out and challenging hate speech.

Kazakhstan: Persecution of Peaceful Protesters must cease
19.05.2016 6 min read

Kazakhstan: Persecution of Peaceful Protesters must cease

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Kazakhstan: Detention of head of National Press Club raises concerns about press freedom
24.02.2016 5 min read

Kazakhstan: Detention of head of National Press Club raises concerns about press freedom

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Kazakhstan: Raid on Nakanune.kz aims to silence critical reporting
18.12.2015 5 min read

Kazakhstan: Raid on Nakanune.kz aims to silence critical reporting

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Kazakhstan: “Don’t Provoke, Don’t Challenge” – Hate Speech and Free Speech for the LGBT Community
08.12.2015 2 min read

Kazakhstan: “Don’t Provoke, Don’t Challenge” – Hate Speech and Free Speech for the LGBT Community

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“Don’t Provoke, Don’t Challenge” The Censorship and Self-Censorship of the LGBT Community in Kazakhstan
09.10.2015 10 min read

“Don’t Provoke, Don’t Challenge” The Censorship and Self-Censorship of the LGBT Community in Kazakhstan

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26.05.2015 5 min read

Kazakhstan: The Law on Television and Radio Braodcasting

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Central Asia: World Press Freedom Day
01.05.2015 11 min read

Central Asia: World Press Freedom Day

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Kazakhstan: UPR recommendations now must be implemented
19.03.2015 1 min read

Kazakhstan: UPR recommendations now must be implemented

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08.12.2014 6 min read

Central Asia: Draft amendments to the legislation regulating the activities of NGOs should guarantee freedom of association

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