Kazakhstan
30.08.02
Urgent Interventions
Kazakhstan: Assault on Serguey Duvanov, editor of a human rights bulletin
URGENT APPEAL - THE OBSERVATORY
KAZ 001/0802/OBS 053
Assault
Kazakhstan
30 August 2002
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Kazakhstan.
Brief description of the situation
The Observatory has been informed that, on 28 August 2002, Mr. Sergey Duvanov, chief editor of the news bulletin "Human rights in Kazakhstan and in the world" published by the Kazakhstan-based International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (KIBHRL), was attacked and severely beaten by three unidentified persons in front of his home in Almaty.
According to the information received, Mr. Duvanov lost consciousness several times and was still unconscious when he was found by his neighbours and was sent to hospital. A judicial investigation has been opened into his physical assault.
The Observatory recalls that on 9 July, Mr. Duvanov, who also writes for opposition web sites, was summoned to the Almaty office of the National Security Committee (KNB) and informed that a criminal case had been brought against him by the General Prosecutor's Office for "infringing the honor and dignity of the President". He risks a three-year prison sentence under article 318 of the Kazakh Criminal Code.
These legal proceedings are linked to one of his articles dated 6 May and entitled "Silence of the Lambs" related to corruption issues involving the Kazakh President and his associates. Following the interrogation, investigators searched Duvanov's apartment and KIBHRL's office and confiscated computers along with articles and other documentation. On 11 July, the journalist was subjected to another interrogation which lasted nearly four hours.
The Observatory underlines that this attack against Duvanov takes place in a context of threats, intimidation and violence against human rights activists and independent journalists, in particular those who investigate and denounce corruption cases.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Kazakh authorities urging them to:
i. Guarantee the security and physical integrity of Mr. Sergey Duvanov in all circumstances, as well as all other members of civil society, who are trying to promote freedom of expression and democracy in Kazakhstan;
ii. Guarantee an effective investigation into this attack, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the sanctions provided by law;
iv. Put an end to all forms of harassment and violence against Human Rights Defenders and ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN general Assembly on December 9, 1998 in particular its article 6.b, which provides that "everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms" and article 12.2: "The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.";
v . Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international instruments ratified by Kazakhstan.
Addresses:
Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Address: 473000 Astana, Beibitshilik 11
Fax: 007 / 3172 /32 61 82, e-mail: aprk@global.kz
Office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Prime Minister: Imangali TASMAGAMBETOV
Address: 473000 Astana, Beibitshilik 11
Fax: 007 / 3172 / 32 40 89, e-mail Protocol: kudekova@global.kz
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Minister: Kairbek SULEIMENOV
Address: 473000 Astana, Manasa 4
Fax: 007 / 3172 / 37 17 38, Tel./fax: 007 / 3172 / 37 36 01
**********
Paris, Geneva, 30 August 2002
Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
1998 Human Rights Prize of The French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
Tel and fax: FIDH : +33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT : (+ 41 22) 809 49 39 / 809 49 29
E-mail : observatoire@iprolink.ch
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in time of need.
To Contact the Observatory, call The Emergency Line:
Tel: FIDH: 33 (0) 1 48 05 82 46 ; OMCT: 41 (0) 22 809 49 39
E-mail: observatoire@iprolink.ch
KAZ 001/0802/OBS 053
Assault
Kazakhstan
30 August 2002
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, a joint program of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organization Against Torture (OMCT), requests your urgent intervention in the following situation in Kazakhstan.
Brief description of the situation
The Observatory has been informed that, on 28 August 2002, Mr. Sergey Duvanov, chief editor of the news bulletin "Human rights in Kazakhstan and in the world" published by the Kazakhstan-based International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law (KIBHRL), was attacked and severely beaten by three unidentified persons in front of his home in Almaty.
According to the information received, Mr. Duvanov lost consciousness several times and was still unconscious when he was found by his neighbours and was sent to hospital. A judicial investigation has been opened into his physical assault.
The Observatory recalls that on 9 July, Mr. Duvanov, who also writes for opposition web sites, was summoned to the Almaty office of the National Security Committee (KNB) and informed that a criminal case had been brought against him by the General Prosecutor's Office for "infringing the honor and dignity of the President". He risks a three-year prison sentence under article 318 of the Kazakh Criminal Code.
These legal proceedings are linked to one of his articles dated 6 May and entitled "Silence of the Lambs" related to corruption issues involving the Kazakh President and his associates. Following the interrogation, investigators searched Duvanov's apartment and KIBHRL's office and confiscated computers along with articles and other documentation. On 11 July, the journalist was subjected to another interrogation which lasted nearly four hours.
The Observatory underlines that this attack against Duvanov takes place in a context of threats, intimidation and violence against human rights activists and independent journalists, in particular those who investigate and denounce corruption cases.
Actions requested:
Please write to the Kazakh authorities urging them to:
i. Guarantee the security and physical integrity of Mr. Sergey Duvanov in all circumstances, as well as all other members of civil society, who are trying to promote freedom of expression and democracy in Kazakhstan;
ii. Guarantee an effective investigation into this attack, in order to identify those responsible, bring them to trial and apply the sanctions provided by law;
iv. Put an end to all forms of harassment and violence against Human Rights Defenders and ensure the implementation of the provisions of the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders adopted by the UN general Assembly on December 9, 1998 in particular its article 6.b, which provides that "everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, freely to publish, impart or disseminate to others views, information and knowledge on all human rights and fundamental freedoms" and article 12.2: "The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.";
v . Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and other international instruments ratified by Kazakhstan.
Addresses:
Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Address: 473000 Astana, Beibitshilik 11
Fax: 007 / 3172 /32 61 82, e-mail: aprk@global.kz
Office of Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Prime Minister: Imangali TASMAGAMBETOV
Address: 473000 Astana, Beibitshilik 11
Fax: 007 / 3172 / 32 40 89, e-mail Protocol: kudekova@global.kz
Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan,
Minister: Kairbek SULEIMENOV
Address: 473000 Astana, Manasa 4
Fax: 007 / 3172 / 37 17 38, Tel./fax: 007 / 3172 / 37 36 01
**********
Paris, Geneva, 30 August 2002
Kindly inform the Observatory of any action undertaken quoting the code number of this appeal in your reply.
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in their time of need.
1998 Human Rights Prize of The French Republic.
To contact the Observatory, call the emergency line:
Tel and fax: FIDH : +33 (0) 1 43 55 20 11 / 43 55 18 80
Tel and fax OMCT : (+ 41 22) 809 49 39 / 809 49 29
E-mail : observatoire@iprolink.ch
The Observatory, an FIDH and OMCT venture, is dedicated to the protection of Human Rights Defenders and aims to offer them concrete support in time of need.
To Contact the Observatory, call The Emergency Line:
Tel: FIDH: 33 (0) 1 48 05 82 46 ; OMCT: 41 (0) 22 809 49 39
E-mail: observatoire@iprolink.ch