Kazakhstan
Since independence in 1991, the Kazakhstan government prioritized economic development over political and human rights reforms. However, President Nazarbayev who held power for 30 years stepped down in March 2019, creating an opportunity for the new government to undertake meaningful and tangible human rights reforms. Kazakh authorities routinely break up or prevent peaceful protests criticizing government policies and suppress independent trade union activity, closing trade unions and imprisoning trade union leaders. Kazakh authorities have used politically motivated prosecutions to silence government critics, including on the vague and overbroad charge of “inciting discord.” Human rights defender Maks Bokaev is serving a 5-year sentence for expressing his peaceful, if critical, views. Impunity for torture and ill-treatment persists. Kazakhstan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, but children with disabilities are largely denied a quality, inclusive education.

-
Women's Rights
December 22, 2020
-
Central Asia: Respect Rights in Covid-19 Responses
Ensure Information Access, Curb Abuses, Protect Detainees
-
Kazakhstan: Little Help for Domestic Violence Survivors
Ensure Protection, Access to Justice, Needed Services
-
Kazakhstan: Children in Institutions Isolated, Abused
End Institutionalization, Provide Community-Based Support
-
News
-
Kazakh Authorities Target Rights Groups in Coordinated Attack
Kazakhstan’s Partners Should Condemn Government’s Stifling of Free Association
-
-
Kazakhstan’s Domestic Violence Survivors Push for Legal Protections
Lawmakers Have Opportunity to Strengthen Flawed Law
-
Kazakhstan Adopts Long-Promised Amendments to Trade Union Law
Authorities Should Register Shuttered Trade Unions, Confederation
-
Kazakhstan: Human Rights Groups Under Pressure
Tax Officials Should End Harassment, Withdraw Notices
-
EU: Bring Human Rights to the Top of Central Asia Agenda
Rights, Rule of Law Key in Response to Region’s Crises
-
-
Kazakhstan Activist Gets Criminal Record for Losing Cool with Police
Prosecution for Knocking Officer’s Hat Off and Insulting Police Was Unwarranted
-
Kyrgyzstan/Kazakhstan: New Rules for Tallying Covid-19 Data
As Cases Surge, Ensure Access to Treatment, Medicine
-
Kazakhstan: Activists Jailed in Criminal Probes
Authorities Target Outspoken Defenders of Free Speech, Assembly