Human Rights Watch

“Kazakh authorities are responsible for bringing to justice those responsible for the deaths and serious injuries of protesters, and crimes of torture in connection with the January events, but a year on, it’s clear that has not been their focus.”

The six activists from the Gorno-Badakshan Autonomous Region were detained in connection with protests in May 2022. Their trials were held behind closed doors without access to lawyers or the evidence against them.

The prosecution brought charges of disseminating “false information” about Russian armed forces “motivated by political hatred” against Ilya Yashin for speaking out via social media about Russian atrocities in Bucha. Yashin was also banned from using the internet for an additional four years.

At the 21st session of the ICC’s Assembly of States Parties, accountability will be in the spotlight. Member countries will have the opportunity – including in setting the court’s annual budget – to ensure the court is equipped to work across its full mandate, avoiding damaging perceptions of double standards in victims’ access to justice.

Ongoing phishing campaign threatens independent groups in the region.

Government promises to hold perpetrators responsible for the vicious violence against peaceful protesters remain unfulfilled.

The Kyrgyz government has proposed a draft law that would enable it to restrict citizens’ right to freedom of association and strengthen regulation and control over nongovernmental organisations.

Ahead of the World Cup, Human Rights Watch’s new report summarises Qatar’s human rights problems; it also describes FIFA’s human rights policies and how the global football governing body can more effectively address serious violations in the country.