MONITORING OF POLITICAL PERSECUTION IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN from 1 to November 30, 2024

November 1, Almaty, the term of extradition arrest until September 2025 was extended for Russian citizen Nakaznenko E., who was detained at the airport of Almaty at the request of Moscow. The Almaty court issued the order after 40 days of detention of the Russian citizen. On November 1, this decision, which was issued on October 26, 2024, was upheld on appeal[1].

November 1, Astana, a group of 10 citizens of Kazakhstan have filed a lawsuit against the country’s Prosecutor General’s office, claiming that the supervisory body is not fulfilling its official duties and is turning a blind eye to obvious violations. They are trying to force the officials to carry out their work. The trial was held without the press: despite a request for the participation of the Nastoyashee vremya (Present time) film crew, journalists were barred from the courtroom [2].

November 1, Astana, Syzdykov A., Article 297, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of RK, 5 years’ imprisonment, was transferred from Astana pre-trial detention center to Kokshetau, although he was supposed to remain in Astana pre-trial detention center until the decision of the appeal. Nevertheless, he was transferred to Kokshetau, allegedly due to the lack of places in the Astana pre-trial detention center. Syzdykov A. went on hunger strike in connection with the violation of his rights; he is under pressure, subjected to terrible conditions, and his statements and letters are not sent out from the pre-trial detention center[3].

November 2, Kokshetau, Institution No. 65, Syzdykov A., Article 297, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 5 years imprisonment, informed that during the searches the officers illegally confiscated his cigarettes without making a report of the seizure, and only after he demanded to call the investigative-operational group the cigarettes were returned to him. Syzdykov A. went on a dry hunger strike demanding that the officers who exceeded their official powers be brought to justice[4].

November 2, Almaty, District Akim Alin Sanzhar: “It has come to this… already akims are writing ‘statements’ to the police about purse theft against activists… what a shame! We have seen police reports, prosecutors’ denunciations, and now akims are writing reports against activists…”. — said human rights defender Toregozhina B.[5].

November 3, Kokshetau, Akmola Regional Court ruling says: “To cancel the decision of Arshaly District Court against Emtsova V. To stop proceedings in the case under Article 147-1, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences (intentional damage) for lack of corpus delicti of an administrative offense”[6].

November 4, Atyrau, at night there was detention of teenagers. A local resident became an eyewitness to the events. In her words, police officers rudely pushed the teenagers and pushed them into the service car. The woman started to take video footage of what was happening, saying that the detainees were treated “like cattle”[7].

November 4, Astana, court hearings were completed on the class action lawsuit filed by 9 journalists against the Ministry of Culture and Information. The journalists are challenging the provisions of a new decree that prohibits them from distributing information from state bodies through media other than accredited ones. The prosecutor asked the court to deny the journalists[8].

November 4, Aktyubinsk region, Irgiz district court ruled in favor of Moldir Gapiz, who filed a lawsuit against the director of the school-gymnasium Nurmanova G. The court ordered the school to pay the cleaner 40266 tenge for the days of forced absence from work after her dismissal. The cleaner was able to prove to the court that her dismissal in November of last year had been unlawful[9].

November 4, Almaty, Ambassador Aleska Simkic, Head of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Kazakhstan, visited the KIBHR Office. A thorough discussion was held, during which human rights defenders and lawyers informed her about the dramatically worsened situation of human rights after January 2022, political prisoners and the persecution of dissenters[10].

November 4, Uralsk, Institution No. 27, Utepov R., Article 190, Part 3, Article 367, Part 3 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 7 years imprisonment, said: “Lawlessness in our country happens with our tacit consent. We should not think only about ourselves, because this situation can affect any family in our country. Do not be indifferent to the problems of other people who are imprisoned by lawlessness”[11].

November 4, Almaty, Overview of the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from October 24 to November 4, 2024. The monitoring is prepared by the Adil Soz Foundation, information has been taken from public sources[12][13].

November 4, Atyrau Court No. 2 considered the criminal case on the claim of journalist “DK” Vertinskaya O. and activist Idrisova K. against police officer Uteniyazov R. The court decided to find Uteniyazov R. guilty under Article 109 Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK and to fine him 461500 tenge. The court recovered 400 thousand tenge in favor of Vertinskaya O. and 800 thousand tenge in favor of Idrisova K.[14][15].

November 5, Zhanaozen, Dosekeeva Zh, Article 174, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The court sentenced him to 3 years of restriction of liberty on the charge of “inciting social discord”, banned her from using social networks for 3 years and ordered her to engage in community service. The lawyer said that the court building was locked from the inside during the hearing of the case against Dosekeeva Zh.[16].

November 5, Astana, 323 people signed an open letter to the President of Kazakhstan Tokayev K., in which they protested against unjust punishment and urged the protection of journalists’ rights. The letter was sent to the Presidential Administration of Kazakhstan via e-Otinish service[17].

November 5, Astana, “Only we are right and journalists are lying” — this is approximately the position of the Ministry of Culture and Information and the Ministry of Justice in a court case in which the state bodies are the defendants. The plaintiffs are nine journalists from various Kazakh mass media. They decided to challenge in court the legality of certain clauses of the “Model Rules for Accreditation of Journalists”, which were approved by a decree of the Ministry in August this year[18].

November 6, the Keles District Court of the Turkestan region referred back for further investigation the criminal case against Batyrbekov A., journalist and editor of the newspaper “Saryagash-Inform”. In 2017, Saryagash District Court No. 2 sentenced Batyrbekov A. to 2 years of restriction of liberty on the charge of “slander”. The defendant was granted amnesty and released from custody. Now the court has decided to send the case back for further investigation. Batyrbekov agrees with the court’s decision[19].

November 6, Almaty Region, “AFM Department of Almaty Region together with the Regional Prosecutor’s Office detained the head of the NGO ‘Shanyrak’ Sadyrbay A. on charges of committing fraud in an especially large amount”. Another person involved in the case, whom the AFM calls his “accomplice”, is under house arrest[20]. Sadyrbay A. is an activist of the movement #NotoRecyclingFee and financed this movement.

November 6, Almaty region, mothers of 2 girls on trial argue that their daughters are being tried for a crime they did not commit. In an attempt to prove her daughter’s innocence, one of the mothers even attempted self-immolation in the lobby of the Almaty Regional Prosecutor’s Office building, promising to repeat the action now at the RK General Prosecutor’s Office[21].

November 6, Astana, Prime Minister Bektenov O., answering a request from deputies, said that Kazakhstan is not going to include the organization “Feminita” in the ranks of extremist organizations, because other human rights groups may find it to be a violation of human rights to freedom to express an opinion[22].

November 6, Astana, the account of the “Legal Media Center” was subjected to a lot of negative comments in connection with the publication of an open letter in support of Adilbekov D. The attack of bots began after receiving information about the designation of a responsible authority for the consideration of our letter sent through e-Otinish[23].

November 6, Astana, a meeting of a coalition of NGOs was held to discuss issues related to human rights in Kazakhstan. Human rights defenders have prepared a joint report, which also talks about the electoral system in our country[24].

November 6, Astana, Anafina Lyazzat was detained. On the same day, a court took place, which decided to send her to the pre-trial detention center in Astana for allegedly violating the conditions of “probation control”. In 2023, Anafina Lyazzat was sentenced to 2 years of restriction of liberty under Article 379 and Article 380 of the Criminal Code of the RK. The remainder of her sentence of 1 year and 2 months of restriction of liberty was replaced by imprisonment[25].

November 7, Konayev, Almaty Regional Court left unchanged the sentence of journalist Muhammedkarim D., 7 years in prison under Articles 258, 405 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. “The additional term was increased, as well as the prohibition to visit public places, meetings, participate in them, give interviews and other restrictions for 3 years”, — said the lawyer Nurpeisov G.[26].

November 7, Almaty region, the court of appeal dismissed the complaint of Tleuzhanova A., Article 272, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 4 years imprisonment, against the management of the colony in Zhaugashty, where she is serving her sentence. Tleuzhanova A. will have to spend almost half a year in the colony without the right to apply for early release. [27].

November 5, Almaty — Kazemirko S., an entrepreneur, has been the victim of a raider’s seizure of his publishing house and has been trying for two years to have this fact legally recognized. In the end, the criminal case of fraud brought against his opponents backfired on Kazemirko S. himself[28].

November 7, Astana, The government agencies of Kazakhstan are studying “the influence of the LGBT movement” on children, Prime Minister Bektenov Olzhas reported, while responding to a request from Majilis deputies who had earlier demanded that the Feminita movement, which defends women’s rights, be recognized as an “extremist organization”[29].

November 10, Almaty, Yakutian anti-war activist and punk musician Ammosov Aikhal (passport name Ivanov Igor) was released from prison in Kazakhstan on October 8, where he had been held following an extradition request by Russian authorities. However, he did not announce his release from prison until he moved to Germany, where he was granted a humanitarian visa. The activist said he lived in poor conditions in prison in Kazakhstan — there was no clean water, no heating, no access to books, and no packages were delivered to him[30].

November 11, Astana, court dismissed a lawsuit filed by 9 journalists against the Ministry of Culture and Information over new accreditation rules in Kazakhstan[31].

November 11, Astana, in the Committee of Criminal Executive System (KUIS) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan has denied reports about the escape of former minister Bishimbayev K.”With regard to the dissemination of this false information, a criminal case has already been initiated, and the perpetrators will be brought to justice”, — said in the press service of the KUIS[32].

November 11, Almaty, Adil Soz Foundation is deeply disappointed by the court’s decision rejecting the journalists’ claims to declare the subparagraph 1 of paragraph 11 of the Model Rules for Accreditation of Journalists as unconstitutional. We are of the opinion that this decision violates the constitutional right of journalists to the free dissemination of information, as well as contradicts the principles of the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan[33][34].

November 11, Almaty, Overview of the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from October 31 to November 11, 2024. The monitoring is prepared by the Adil Soz Foundation; information has been taken from public sources[35][36].

November 12, Almaty, lawyers Sanrai Smagulova and Nurbek Tokushev held a press conference at KIBHR on the topic “Investigation for lack of corpus delicti three times dropped the case against a resident of the city, but the prosecutor’s office continues to insist”[37].

November 12, Almaty, Dostiyarov A. came to the office of the ruling party “Amanat” and urged the party to ask for forgiveness from the people of Kazakhstan. Dostiyarov A. said that “Amanat”, the legal successor of “Nur Otan”, was responsible for the socio-political situation, the upheavals in the country, including the murders of opposition politicians[38].

November 12, Kokshetau, Institution No. 65: T. Danebaev, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years’ imprisonment, who was tortured in the colony in Atbasar, claims that he was kidnapped. T. Danebaev was transferred without warning at night from Institution No. 64 to Institution No. 65 in Kokshetau, and he is in unsafe conditions because Aktanov Abay, the head of Institution No. 65, was previously in Atbasar[39].

November 12, Almaty, “Why is it important to sue the state, even if the outcome is predetermined? Bringing a class action suit to court means demonstrating public protest against the policies of the relevant ministry. It was to be expected that journalists would lose the class action suit against the Ministry of Information”, — writes journalist Dzhamlya Maricheva[40].

November 12, Astana, the appeal of the lawyer Doskaraev M. and convicted Syzdykov A., Article 297 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 5 years of imprisonment was considered. The court decided to leave unchanged the verdict of the criminal court of Astana from 27.09.2024 against Syzdykov A.M.[41].

November 13, Kokshetau, an activist from Astana Danebaev T., Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years of imprisonment, who has been in prison for the last 2 years, spoke at the trial on the case of torture in the colony Atbasar. Danebaev T. spoke at the hearing for 3 hours, describing the humiliation in the colony. In this case 12 employees of the institution are charged with torture of prisoners[42].

November 13, Astana, Answering questions of journalists on the sidelines of the Majilis of the Parliament, Minister of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan Balayeva A. said that there are no problems with freedom of speech in the country. Journalists reminded Balaeva A. that Kazakhstan is 142nd out of 180 countries in the ranking of freedom of speech of the organization “Reporters without Borders”[43].

November 13, Mangistau region, Zhanaozen city, employees of the company “Drilling Operations Management” have informed about going on strike and suspension of production. The company provides services to “Ozenmunaigas”, a subsidiary of the national company “ KazMunaiGas”[44].

November 13, Astana, November 13, in relation to independent media in Kazakhstan and their representatives are possible provocations, reports the correspondent of the agency KazTAG. Some structures at the moment begin to work and “probe” representatives of independent media. One of the options for aggravation of the situation in the information field can be provocation of conflicts and involvement of independent journalists of Kazakhstan in them[45].

November 12, Almaty, the Criminal Court passed a guilty verdict on the defendant Begadilov T.S. under Article 146 of the Criminal Code of the RK in connection with the use of torture to the victim Sarkytbay A.T. during the “January” events. «The court’s verdict, taking into account the procedural agreement to plead guilty, the defendant was sentenced to punishment in the form of restriction of liberty for a period of 2 years 6 months, with deprivation of a special title and the right to work in the public service[46].

13 November, Almaty, Altynbaykyzy Gulzhanat, a retired historian from the Almaty region, born in 1959, is subjected to political persecution. A criminal case has been opened against her under Article 272 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“organizing and participating in mass riots”)[47].

November 14, Pavel Vladimirov, an 18-year-old anti-war activist from Voronezh, was arrested in Almaty at the request of Russia. He had been detained on September 4, but his detention only came to light recently. Exactly one day before his detention, Rosfinmonitoring had added Pavel Vladimirov to the list of “terrorists and extremists” and started searching for him in the case of preparation for participation in the activities of a terrorist organization under Article 20, Part 1 and Article 205.5, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation[48].

November 14, Almaty, Overview of the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from November 7 to November 14, 2024. The monitoring is prepared by the Adil Soz Foundation; information has been taken from public sources[49][50].

November 15, Zhanaozen, the strike of workers of the oil service company “Drilling Operations Management”, a contractor of the company “Ozenmunaigas”, continues. They have not worked since the evening of November 12[51].

November 19, Stepnogorsk, Institution No. 4, Zhylanbaev M., Articles 258, 405 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 7 years of imprisonment. The activist, who is currently in prison, has announced another hunger strike. His lawyer, Doskaraev M., reports that the activist has been refusing food since November 13[52].

November 19, Konaev city, Klyshev K., Article 405, Part 1 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 5 years of imprisonment: a court was held to consider Klyshev K.’s request to change the punishment from imprisonment to restriction of liberty. The court refused in connection with the existing penalties and “negative degree of behavior”. Klyshev K. disagreed with this and appealed against the penalties[53].

November 19, Zhanaozen, the chairman of the board of “Ozenmunaigas” Saimagambetov Zh. threatened one of the striking workers with obscenities. The actions of the head of “Ozenmunaigas” can be considered a violation of Article 115 (threat) and Article 131 (insult) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Article 434, Part 1 (“Disorderly conduct expressed in foul language in a public place”) of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK[54].

November 19, Zhanaozen, the rally of workers of the company “Drilling Operations Management” continues for the seventh day. More than a thousand people took part in the protest. The workers have set up a tent camp, and the strike continues twenty-four hours a day. Oil workers reported receiving threats from unknown persons[55].

November 19, Astana, the State Counselor of Kazakhstan Karin E. again stated about «red lines» on some issues in public discussions. In an interview with the TV channel “Qazaqstan”, Karin E. again explained his words about “red lines”, mentioned in an article in the state newspaper, with an appeal for restraint[56].

November 19, Astana, PF “Legal Media Center” and a number of human rights organizations sent a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur with a request to pay attention to the fact that the journalist Adilbekov D. was unjustly sentenced to 4.6 years of imprisonment under Article 419 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan for his publications[57].

November 20, Astana, Serikzhan Akhmetzhanov from Ust-Kamenogorsk filed a lawsuit in the Astana Civil Court against the Government of Kazakhstan, demanding to recognize as illegal and cancel the decree on time conversion[58].

November 20, Almaty, a press conference was held by residents of Nauryzbay district of Almaty and lawyer Kaliev E. The press conference was devoted to the decision of the Nauryzbay district court. The court ignored the obvious forgery of the title documents of the plaintiff with a known surname and forced 4 homeowners with common surnames to leave their houses together with their families[59].

November 20, “Media Kuryltai” took place in Almaty. This is an annual conference where media professionals and experts discuss the most topical problems of Kazakhstan’s media sphere. Fakes from social networks, artificial intelligence and downsizing are the main challenges for the mass media[60].

November 20, Astana, activists of the initiative group for the establishment of the opposition party “Alga, Kazakhstan!” for the 25th time submitted an application for registration of a political organization in the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan. Employees of the Ministry in Astana accepted the documents[61].

On November 20, an administrative court in Almaty found Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty’s Kazakhstan office guilty of “placing and disseminating false information” under Article 456-2, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and ordered a fine of 184,000 tenge (about $370)[62].

November 20, Uralsk, the appeal left unchanged the verdict in the case of the death of 22-year-old Nariman Raguf, where the defendants Satpayev E. and Kadyrbayev E. are in the dock. When the judges left the courtroom after announcing the verdict, the father of the defendant Satpayev E. Zhankabyl Satpayev hit the journalist of “Umarovnews” Umarov T. with his right hand. The blow came to the jaw and throat area[63].

November 20, Almaty, Adil Soz Freedom of Speech Foundation expresses its concern over the attack on the journalist of the online edition “Umarovnews” Umarov T., which took place in the building of the West Kazakhstan Regional Court[64].

November 20, Astana, in the Constitutional Court of Kazakhstan was held consideration of the lawsuit on behalf of the adherent of the Christian community «Jehovah’s Witnesses», who considered the concept of missionary activity as a violation of constitutional norms of legal provisions. On the appeal of a resident of Ust-Kamenogorsk city on verification of compliance with the Constitution subparagraph 5) of Article 1 of the Law of RK on religious activity and religious associations, as well as other articles[65].

November 20, Stepnogorsk, Sadvokasova A, Article 274, Part 4, Article 405, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years of restriction of liberty. The court considered her application for parole. The court rejected the petition of the human rights defender[66][67].

November 21, Petropavlovsk, Kopeyev Y, Article 174 of the Criminal Code (interethnic discord) was arrested. The Investigative Court authorized his detention for 2 months. He is likely to be detained in Institution No. 66[68].

November 21, Almaty, supporters of Tengrianism declared at a press conference that a fight against them had begun with the participation of law enforcement and judicial authorities. Recently, criminal cases have been opened against three women and administrative proceedings against another. Kazakhstani Tengrians who hold Tengrian views say they have been subjected to organized attacks that have resulted in criminal and administrative prosecutions[69].

November 21, Almaty, former employees of the Almaty metro held a press conference to announce that they were planning to sue the management of the state municipal enterprise “Metropolitan” for pressure and dismissal. They believe they were fired for informing the media about the purchase of Chinese brake pads[70].

November 21, in Almaty, in the specialized court for criminal cases, the trial, which lasted more than 2 months, ended. It was a jury trial on the charge of Sunkar Beybit of extorting a large sum of money from the owners of the Magnum retail chain in exchange for stopping complaints about the sale of expired products by the stores of this chain[71].

November 21, Almaty, Overview of the situation in Kazakhstan with the right to freedom of expression, receiving and disseminating information from November 14 to November 21, 2024. The monitoring is prepared by the Adil Soz Foundation, information has been taken from public sources[72][73].

November 21, the International Organization “ARTICLE 19” issued a statement on the case of journalist Adilbekov D., Article 419 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 4.6 years of imprisonment for spreading false information. In its statement, the organization condemned the actions of the Kazakh authorities, stressing that the sentence is a disturbing example of suppression of media freedom in the country[74].

November 22, Geneva (Switzerland), the presentation of the report of the Coalition of Kazakhstani Human Rights Organizations took place. The information contains a general assessment of the situation in Kazakhstan regarding legislative, institutional and practical problems in providing and protecting fundamental human rights and freedoms in accordance with the international obligations of the State, as well as an evaluation of the implementation of recommendations in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review[75].

November 22, Almaty, the court extended for another month the detention of 5 activists who were arrested in Almaty before the referendum on the NPP. Activists Zhaulibayev N., Zhanat Kazakbay, Syzdykov F., Temirgaliev N. and Mubarakov A. were arrested on October 1 for allegedly “attempting to organize mass riots”[76].

November 22, Almaty, “Formal replies from the Ombudsman of the Republic of Kazakhstan to our request to provide observation in the court on the torture of Danebaev T. Our appeal and the response of the executor of the Akmola region. And in the end, they again ask for a power of attorney”, — reported human rights defender Toregozhina B.[77].

November 22, Astana, Dzhabasova A, Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 10 days of detention for allegedly violating the law in the building of the presidential administration. She is the mother of 2 adult disabled children[78].

November 23, Zhanaozen, “Everyone is fed up with such provocations around the striking workers of the oil company “Ozenmunaigas”, — said journalist Beisenov E. about the situation in Zhanaozen[79].

November 25-26, Almaty hosts the Central Asian Conference on Combating Domestic Violence. Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are discussing legislative measures and joint initiatives to protect women’s rights in order to reduce the level of violence [80].

November 25, Zhanaozen, General Director of JSC “Ozenmunaigas” Saimaganbetov Zhanbolat in a video message to striking employees of the company “Drilling Operations Management” in Zhanaozen said that employees, who stopped the strike and returned to work yesterday, will receive up to 50% of their salary. “Those who do not come to work after November 25 will not be paid,» he said[81].

November 26, Astana, President Tokayev K. has approved amendments to his earlier decrees on the work of civil servants. Politicians in Kazakhstan will be punished for not fulfilling the president’s orders[82].

November 26, Taldykorgan, journalist Duisenova S. was again subjected to judicial harassment. Six administrative and civil cases were brought against her and activist Mulkibaeva K., including a claim for 4 million tenge from the deputy akim of Kerbulak district for the publication about the feast. [83].

November 26, Astana, Kuketaeva M., Article 434, Part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK, 15 days of arrest. Being in the hall of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan, she committed actions expressing disrespect to others. Thus, Kuketaeva M. committed an act of disorderly conduct, and repeatedly within one year after the administrative penalty imposed [84].

November 26, Ust-Kamenogorsk, “Investors — money, children – cancer”, “Ecological genocide”, “Every day we breathe poison” — under such loud slogans a group of activists from Ridder held a rally in Ust-Kamenogorsk dedicated to the environmental situation. People decided to draw the attention of the public and local authorities to the environmental problems in the Ust-Kamenogorsk region, including systemic pollution of rivers, soil poisoning, and regular emissions into the atmosphere[85].

November 27, Almaty, a press conference was held on the filing of a class action lawsuit against the Supreme Court of Kazakhstan for unjustified refusal to receive in person. A number of citizens of Kazakhstan, whose rights have been violated by illegal, unjust, unreasonable and unenforceable judicial acts, have repeatedly appealed to the Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan with a petition to make a submission on the judicial acts that have entered into legal force[86].

November 27, Akmola region, Shortandy village, outdoor surveillance of the house of the activist Dzhakhin A. There are 3 cars near his house. Officers conducting the surveillance: operative officer Begalin A., senior operative officer Shamenov S.[87].

November 27, Karaganda, the Criminal Court sentenced the deputy head of a penal institution to 2 years in prison for torturing a prisoner. The court found him guilty under Article 146, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“Cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, torture”)[88].

November 27, Almaty, former workers who were injured at the JSC Kazakhmys Corporation declared the violation of their rights and injustice and demanded sanctions against the owners of this company. The disabled workers of Kazakhmys demand the establishment of a public commission to investigate the violations of workers’ rights and the payment of adequate compensation for their injuries[89].

November 27, Semey, the judicial board for administrative cases of the court of the Abay region considered the case on the petition of Akkozha E. M. in the part of violation of rights in holding a solitary picket. The court rejected the petition because the judicial board, after examining the case materials, found no violations on the part of the Akimat[90].

November 28, “Kazakh authorities should provide a fair trial for journalist Adilbekov D. as he appeals his guilty verdict”, Human Rights Watch said. In a released statement, HRW urges Astana to revise legislation to ensure that journalists in the country are not imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression[91].

November 28, Almaty, the Human Rights Bureau held a press conference on “Public misinformation is unacceptable!” The residents of the Kerbulak district want to inform the society about the true picture of the situation regarding the alleged illegal persecution of the activist K. Zh. Mulkibayeva[92].

November 28, Kokshetau, Zhanuzakov M., Baltashev B. and Negmetov U., who opposed the arrival of Russian President Putin V. to Kazakhstan, were fined. The court found them guilty under Article 434, Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK and sentenced each of them to a fine of 51688 tenge[93].

November 28, Mangistau region, Munaila district, Turdiyeva U., a human rights activist of the “Femina Vertute” movement, was illegally detained by police officers in the courthouse. She was taken to the police station to be prosecuted under Article 434,Part 1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. Turdiyeva U. reported that her right to defense was violated during the preparation of the protocol[94].

November 28, Almaty, youth.kz site of the project of the Youth Information Service of Kazakhstan (MISK), which informs young people about human rights, was blocked by order of the Department of Economic Investigations for the Mangistau region and entered into its information system “Cybernadzor” (Cyber Surveillance). MISK informed that the site was blocked on the territory of Kazakhstan, but at the same time the site can be opened through a VPN[95].

November 28, Kostanay, the city court decided to partially satisfy the claim of Gross T. to citizen Zinchenko S. on the protection of honor, dignity, business reputation and compensation for moral damage: to publish a refutation in the network and to recover in favor of Gross T. compensation of 200 thousand tenge and court costs of 100 thousand tenge[96].

November 29, Shymkent, the court ruled to satisfy the administrative claim of Idayatov A. to the Department of the Committee of Labor and Social Protection on action and inaction. To recognize illegal actions in consideration of the appeal from 22.07.24 and 09.08.24 and to oblige to eliminate the admitted violations in consideration of the appeal[97][98].

November 29, Astana, the Ministry of Culture and Information reported that it is developing a legislative act, “Rules of Mass Media Monitoring”, which will set standards for “cultural, moral and family values”[99].

November 29, activists submitted applications to hold peaceful rallies against the single time zone in various cities of Kazakhstan. The actions are planned for December 6-16 in Karaganda, Zhezkazgan, Shymkent, Taraz, Almaty, Taldykorgan, Semey, Ust-Kamenogorsk, Pavlodar, Petropavlovsk, and Astana. Akimats have not yet given their permission to hold these events[100].

November 29, Aktau, oil workers tried to block the roads. A video of a group of people going to a crosswalk and trying to block automobile traffic is circulating in social networks[101].

November 30, Almaty, 1000 activists of Zhana adamdar (pro-government organization) gathered for a rally against “expired mindset” in Almaty. The theme of the rally was originally supposed to be a protest against the sale of expired food products in Almaty stores. However, during the preparation of the event it turned out that expired food on the shelves is only a visible part of the problem of “expired mindset”. And this problem is much more dangerous for the country[102].

November 30, Astana, Institution No. 64, political prisoner T. Danebaev, Article 174 of the Criminal Code of the RK, 3 years imprisonment, recorded a video appeal to the European Parliament with a request for help, as well as spoke about torture and what happens in prisons in Kazakhstan[103].

November 30, Akmola region, Shortandy village, Dzhakhin A. received a text message notification about the need to come to police station No. 2 to draw up a report under Article 488, Part 11 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the RK. Grounds: on September 18, 2024 near the building of the Akmola Regional Court he allegedly participated in an unauthorized meeting in support of T. Danebaev[104].

[1] rus.azattyq.org/a/33183639.html

[2] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/kazahstantsy-sudyatsya-s-genprokuraturoy-vedomstvo-ne-reagiruet-na-obrascheniya-/33182880.html

[3]www.facebook.com/groups/ActivistsNotExtremists/posts/3966246353694618/

[4]www.facebook.com/buharzhyrau/posts/pfbid035zK7f5tNx3JoGziPb5AHDwzzTbhKiniwGxWAyL3WAF8dgvAkNZipY5BY8aDUrojKl

[5]wwwfacebook.com/toregozhina/posts/pfbid02FmDtPtLRsPRgfRZKM1wJ26YVGjym8HtdDSp3PPSLi4AZGKGoL9UaCnq9tEfc4UdPl

[6] https://kaztag.kz/ru/news/grazhdanskuyu-aktivistku-opravdali-v-sude-akmolinskoy-oblasti

[7]https://orda.kz/obraschajutsja-kak-so-skotom-ochevidcy-o-zaderzhanii-podrostkov-v-atyrau-393973/

[8] https://vlast.kz/novosti/62502-prokuror-poprosila-sud-otkazat-zurnalistam-osparivausim-pravila-akkreditacii-v-iske-k-mininformacii.html

[9] https://rus.azattyq.org/a/33188925.html

[10]https://www.facebook.com/max.bokay/posts/pfbid0TdaPzEFNLCadu6kR795t8BSuCTizS9qS2AWVZ7U7fXwRUHqw2NLnTWuc1GSmubpTl

[11]https://www.facebook.com/toregozhina/posts/pfbid02fyZyoWwae634EAspRbWecuLJnSE2ThNDqct8NwVru62VqwVGTZ4PVToqmob1SzAhl

[12] https://adilsoz.kz/weekly-monitoring/narusheniya-svobody-slova-v-kazahstane-s-24-oktyabrya-po-4-noyabrya-20.html