Media Freedom Groups Urge Kazakhstan President to Drop Charges Against Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists and five other international press freedom organizations have urged Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to drop criminal charges against several independent journalists currently under house arrest. In a letter sent to the president, the groups highlighted an escalating pattern of harassment against independent media, citing specific cases involving journalists Gulnara Bazhkenova, Amir Kasenov, Aset Matayev, and Botagoz Omarova. The coalition called for the release of prosecuted journalists and legislative reforms to loosen restrictions on distributing information, arguing that current laws stifle press freedom. They also criticized the government for denying accreditation to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists and blocking the news outlet ResPublika without justification. The groups warned that these actions create a climate of fear and self-censorship, undermining Tokayev’s reform agenda. This appeal follows a recent constitutional referendum that cemented the president’s power. Tokayev’s office declined to comment on the letter. The incident underscores growing tensions between the Kazakh government and international human rights advocates regarding media independence and civil liberties in Central Asia.
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Media Freedom Groups Urge Kazakhstan President to Drop Charges Against Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists and five other international press freedom organizations have urged Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to drop criminal charges against several independent journalists currently under house arrest. In a letter sent to the president, the groups highlighted an escalating pattern of harassment against independent media, citing specific cases involving journalists Gulnara Bazhkenova, Amir Kasenov, Aset Matayev, and Botagoz Omarova. The coalition called for the release of prosecuted journalists and legislative reforms to loosen restrictions on distributing information, arguing that current laws stifle press freedom. They also criticized the government for denying accreditation to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty journalists and blocking the news outlet ResPublika without justification. The groups warned that these actions create a climate of fear and self-censorship, undermining Tokayev’s reform agenda. This appeal follows a recent constitutional referendum that cemented the president’s power. Tokayev’s office declined to comment on the letter. The incident underscores growing tensions between the Kazakh government and international human rights advocates regarding media independence and civil liberties in Central Asia.
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