Ahead of this month’s parliamentary election, independent journalists in Kazakhstan have faced “unprecedented” pressure, ranging from criminal prosecutions to professional bans, and this crackdown warrants heightened international scrutiny to ensure the country upholds its obligations on media freedom.
Voters go to the polls on August 23 to elect a unicameral parliament established under a new constitution passed in a
March referendum
. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev says the constitution allows a
fundamental reshaping
of the Central Asian nation but critics say it represents an attempt
to extend
Tokayev’s power.
Just as the March referendum was accompanied by a series of arrests – which CPJ and partners
raised
with Kazakh authorities – the upcoming vote has been preceded by fresh intimidation of some of Kazakhstan’s foremost independent journalists.
Since mid-July, five prominent journalists have been jailed or convicted on major criminal charges and cases have been opened against two more. Courts have also imposed draconian restrictions on convicted journalists’ participation in public life and activity online.
The Legal Media Center, a local advocacy group, has
warned
of an “unprecedented increase in pressure” on journalists.
On August 14, CPJ and eight local and international press freedom and human rights groups
expressed deep concern
over the escalating pressure, noting that these recent high profile cases formed part of a “broader, longer-term pattern,” which included the use of politically motivated charges, online restrictions on access to information, and other forms of harassment and intimidation against those who criticize the authorities.
Diana Okremova, head of the Legal Media Center, said the crackdown is an effort to “purge the media sphere” and ensure the absence of “negative information online.”
Criminal Prosecutions
The primary tool used by Kazakh authorities to silence the press consists of criminal prosecutions, wit
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