By Shayne R. Burnham
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

Kazakhstan – Human Rights Watch urged the Kazakh government that it should make human rights reforms before taking chair to the Organization for Security and Cooperation (OSCE).  Kazakhstan was chosen last year to become chair in 2010.  Human Rights Watch issued a 55-page report, “An Atmosphere of Quiet Repression:  Freedom of Religion, Expression and Assembly in Kazakhstan,” which documents Kazakhstan’s extensive restrictions on freedom of religion, express and assembly, all in contravention of human rights law.

The United States urged Kazakhstan to reform human rights violations by the end of this year.  U.S. assistant secretary of state for the region, Richard Boucher, stated that, “Despite slow and uneven progress, President Nazarbayev assured me earlier this year that Kazakhstan will stand by its commitments… Clearly, a great deal of work must be done by the end of 2008.”

President Nazarbayev promised last month for a more democratic Parliament, allow more media freedom, and change electoral law.

Opposing members of the OSCE and human rights groups protest the Kazakh appointment, stating that it is too early for the country to lead in democracy.

Human Rights Watch calls upon Kazakhstan to fulfill its pledges it promised OSCE and that are required of it as a member of the OSCE such as:  “revise the draft religion law to bring it into conformity with the Kazakh constitution and international human rights standards; Make public a review of the draft religion law by the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights; Place a moratorium on criminal libel cases and review the relevant articles in the Criminal Code with a view towards abolishing criminal libel, and establish a cap on defamation awards; and Abolish legal provisions that permit unnecessary restrictions on locations where demonstrations can take place.

Assuming Kazakhstan does take chairmanship, it will be the first post-Soviet country to lead the organization.

For more information, please see:

Human Rights Watch – An Atmosphere of Quiet Repression:  Freedom of Religion, Expression and Assembly in Kazakhstan – 1 December 2008

Human Rights Watch – Kazakhstan:  Fulfill OSCE Commitments on Human Rights – 1 December 2008

Reporters Without Borders – Kazakhstan ‘s OSCE Presidency Opposed After Heavily Biased Election Coverage – 22 August 2007

Reuters – U.S. Urges Kazakhstan to Uphold OSCE Values – 23 July 2008