Voice of Democracy
Published by Kazakhstan 21st Century Foundation · Washington, D.C. · Feb. 17, 2004

U.S.: KAZAKHSTAN NOT READ FOR PRIME TIME -- If Kazakhstan is serious about seeking the chairmanship of the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2009 it "must" get serious about implementing "all commitments undertaken by participating OSCE states," warned the U.S. State Department. Several "important issues" need attention, starting with "a flawed election code, selective prosecution of political opposition and intimidation of the independent media," said Douglas Davidson, deputy U.S. representative to the OSCE. Kazakhstan "must" implement "all the commitments" long before December 2006, because that is when the OSCE chairmanship for 2009 will be decided, Davidson said. The draft media law would "violate international standards for protection of free speech." Recent elections have been condemned by the United States and others for fraud, corruption and abuse. Davidson reminded the Kazakh government that it "has a responsibility to its people" to provide "free, fair and transparent elections." He also said "recent criminal proceedings" against Amirzhan Kosanov, a leader of the opposition Republican People's Party, Ermurat Bapi, editor in chief of the newspaper SolDat, independent journalist Sergei Duvanov and others, gives "all the appearances of manipulation of the judicial system for political purposes." Davidson called on the regime to "reexamine" these cases to ensure these and all others are provided "due process and a fair and impartial trial, now and in the future." http: //osce.usmission.gov

RETREATING FROM DEMOCRACY -- European parliamentarians have accused the Kazakh government of "a step backwards" away from democracy and "respect for international legal obligations." The problem is the proposed new media law, which threatens to further restrict independent reporting, deputies from the European parliament's foreign affairs committee said in a letter to President Nazarbayev. "Critics have particularly objected to the draft law's reinforcement of a constitutional ban on offending the president's honor and dignity and of clauses permitting the imprisonment of journalists on loosely defined grounds," reports EUbusiness.com. Nazarbayev may "profess democratic aspirations" but his claims are "undermined" by his actions, including two recent assaults on female journalists and, perhaps the most absurd, a ban an parliament deputies reading the opposition paper, the Assandi-Times, in the parliament building, reports Eubusiness. Nazarbayev clings to power through election fraud, corruption and control of the media, it added. The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has expressed strong opposition to the draft media law. http://www.eubusiness.com/afp/040206173737.ijklxq14

INTIMIDATION AND HARASSMENT -- The International Federation of Journalists joined a long list of governments, human rights groups and international organizations in condemning the Kazakh government's "growing pattern" of intimidation and harassment of that country's news media. IFJ called for revision of the restrictive draft media law now before parliament. It cited the cases of several journalists, including Svetlana Rychkova who was "dragged out of her car by policemen, detained, threatened and subsequently beaten" before being taken to a police station for several hours of interrogation, all apparently because her newspaper has written about government corruption. "This draft law carries all the hallmarks of a government inspired attempt to control and intimidate the media," said Aidan White, IFJ General Secretary. He charged the government has stepped up intimidation of the media and is tightening restrictions in anticipation of national elections at the end of this year. Denying the public access to information violates "the fundamental principles of a democracy," White said, demanding the draft media law be overhauled and journalists allowed to work freely if Kazakhstan is to become "a credible member of the international democratic community." http://www.categorynet.com/fr/cp/details.php?id=40438
For the full stories, see the web citations above or contact us at News@Kazakhstan21.org or see VOD Archives [http://iicas.org/english/enlibrary/libr_16_03_01kp.htm]. 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.

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