Kazahstanul răspunde la presupusele abuzuri ale deținuților

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has received a letter from Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international non-governmental organization, alleging examples of disproportionate use of force by law-enforcement forces in Kazakhstan during the January events. In addition, Human Rights Watch has published information regarding other alleged detainee abuses.

The government of Kazakhstan has responded by saying:   “Excessive use of force, wrongful imprisonment, torture, or ill-treatment of detainees are all condemned by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

“President Tokayev has stressed numerous times that the investigation into the armed disturbance must be impartial and carried out in accordance with the law. It is critical to ensure that detainees' rights are protected and that a fair judicial process is followed.”

While conducting the investigation, the Head of State has urged the Prosecutor General's Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to adhere to the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code, which prohibit the use of torture or other forms of ill-treatment.

“All allegations of illegal detention and probable ill-treatment of detainees will be investigated extensively. A hotline has been established so that residents can get important information and file complaints, especially about law enforcement personnel's activities. All incoming information about violations is verified by the investigative authorities.”

According to the General Prosecutor's Office, the authorities have opened 98 criminal cases thus far over accusations of the use of illegal investigation tactics and other infringement of citizens' rights.

“The General Prosecutor's Office and other state investigative organisations are ready and eager to look into each and every case brought up by the people in Kazakhstan and around the world,” said a spokesperson.

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The Human Rights Ombudsperson Elvira Azimova, as well as members of the National Preventive Mechanism for the Prevention of Torture (NPM) and the National Council of Public Trust, have been granted access to prison facilities to oversee the respect of detained people' rights.

Regional NPM teams have made 97 independent monitoring visits to 83 sites in 16 regions of Kazakhstan, according to current information. The Human Rights Ombudsman has received 48 citizen complaints alleging human rights abuses, which are currently being investigated. In addition, at the request of the regional NPM teams, lawyers and civil medics have been granted access to the inmates.

Public commissions to investigate the January events have lately been constituted by reputable civil society representatives, including human rights advocates and attorneys.

A government spokesperson said: “Kazakhstan is committed to upholding its human rights duties and welcomes conversation and collaboration with international nongovernmental organisations. Mukhtar Tileuberdi, Kazakhstan's Minister of Foreign Affairs, has agreed to meet with Kenneth Roth, the Executive Director of Human Rights Watch, and Kazakhstan maintains an active participation in UN human rights agencies and processes."

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