Kazakhstan: Fаcing the facts or avoiding the truth?

28 September 2022

In August 2022, the first case involving law enforcement officers charged with using torture against individuals detained during and after the January 2022 events began in the city of Taldykorgan in Kazakhstan. International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR), Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (KIBHR), Kazakhstan’s Coalition against Torture and the World Organisation against Torture (OMCT) are seriously concerned about procedural violations observed during the court hearings in this case and call on the authorities of Kazakhstan to uphold international human rights standards and deliver on their pledge to ensure accountability for abuse of individuals detained in connection with the January 2022 unrest.

The January 2022 unrest in Kazakhstan occurred after a peaceful demonstration, which began on 2 January 2022 in the western region of Mangistau over an increase in fuel-prices, led to widespread anti- government protests across the country. Thousands of people were detained by law enforcement officials during and after the protests, which were framed by the authorities as being initiated by ‘terrorists’ from abroad. Although no evidence of this was provided, troops from the Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) were invited to Kazakhstan to help restore order. According to official sources, at least 238 people died during these events. Human rights groups, however, estimate that this number might be higher. The government of Kazakhstan has so far rejected calls to opening an international investigation into these deaths.

There are also numerous reports of torture and ill-treatment of detainees at the hands of law enforcement officials during and after the turmoil. The Kazakhstani authorities have officially recognised that 15 officers are suspected of using torture and other illegal means of interrogations. However, monitoring and documentation by human rights groups in the country indicates that many more officials committed torture and continue to enjoy impunity for their crimes.

Since 9 September 2022, Kazakhstan’s Coalition against Torture and the KIBHR have been monitoring the hearings at Taldykorgan City Court, in the case of torture of participants of the January events by state officials. So far four hearings have taken place with the next hearing set for 30 September.

Read the full statement in English and Russian