Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. ·Jun,15,   2002

CITIZEN OF THE WORLD -- Former Kazakh Prime Minister Akezhan Kazhegeldin was given a Freedom Passport by the European Parliament as an expression of moral support for his leadership of the democratic opposition in his country. Ari Vatanen, a member of the European Parliament who was instrumental in securing the Freedom Passport, said it is intended "to offer moral support to people who risk persecution due to their political opinions." The initiative had broad support, ranging from U.S. Sen. John McCain to the leaders of the Parliament's Commission on Foreign Affairs, the president of the European People's Party and the leader of the Green Party. Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and other human rights groups have also supported Mr. Kazhegeldin, said Mr. Vatanen, adding that the former prime minister's "return to his home country has so far been inconceivable due to security risks." The Freedom Passport, which was presented at ceremonies at European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg last week, was signed by 15 parliamentary deputies. Kazhegeldin is only the 27th person to receive the award, which is generally given to show support of the entire democratic opposition, rather than a single individual, in countries where human rights are endangered. www.europarl.eu.int/, http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/

CHOKING OFF THE NEWS -- President Nazarbayev's stranglehold on Kazakhstan's news media came in for harsh criticism from the head of the OSCE office in the country. Heinrich Haupt said the independent and opposition media are being subjected to increasing legal and economic pressures, according to Interfax, while the remaining outlets are increasingly concentrated in the hands of those closest to the president. He also criticized the new Nazarbayev press laws which added 40 offenses under which the government can prosecute the media. http://www.interfax-news.com/

A TURN FOR THE WORSE -- The repressive political climate in Kazakhstan has taken an "ominous turn" for the worse "ever since the revelation that the country's president, Nursultan Nazarbayev, secretly stashed $1 billion of state money in a Swiss bank account six years ago," reported the Washington Post. "As the scandal blossomed, opposition leaders were suddenly arrested, newspapers and television stations shut down, and critical journalists beaten in what foes of the government consider a new wave of repression." The lengthy Post article documents numerous instances of government harassment and other measures against the media, opposition politicians and other critics of the regime. The regime uses inspectors, regulators and the courts along with "mysterious vandals." "By its spirit, by its nature, by its attitude toward personal freedom, it's still Soviet," according to Yevgeny Zhovits, director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law. Critics of the regime are disappointed with the response from the United States and the other democracy suggesting they are letting Nazarbayev do as he wishes in order to keep him in the international coalition against terrorism. http://www.washingtonpost.com

PUNISH THE VICTIM -- After the government failed to close down the independent newspaper, Respublika, by intimidation -- a firebomb destroyed its editorial offices last month -- the Nazarbayev regime has turned to its puppet courts. In the latest move, an Almaty court ordered the paper to cease for the "crime" of failing to show the exact days of publication. Human rights and international observers have indicated they believe the firebombing was done by government agents to silence the paper for being critical of Nazarbayev. The International Federation of Journalist, which condemned that attack and another on the independent paper Sol-Dat, accused Nazarbayev of "waging a war" against the media. http://www.rferl.org/bd/ka/

For the full stories, see the web citations above or contact us at News@Kazakhstan21.org. The Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation promotes democracy and human rights in Kazakhstan through public affairs and educational programs in the United States and Europe. This material is distributed by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice,  Washington, D.C.