(Adil Soz/IFEX) – In a 9 March 2005 statement, the Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, of which Adil Soz president Tamara Kaleyeva is a member, protested against the increasing pressure faced by independent mass media. The statement follows: ADDRESS OF THE PUBLIC COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN KAZAKHSTAN After examining numerous […]
(Adil Soz/IFEX) – In a 9 March 2005 statement, the Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, of which Adil Soz president Tamara Kaleyeva is a member, protested against the increasing pressure faced by independent mass media. The statement follows:
ADDRESS OF THE PUBLIC COMMITTEE TO PROTECT FREEDOM OF SPEECH IN KAZAKHSTAN
After examining numerous court cases against independent publications and journalists, we, the Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech, have concluded that in the run-up to Kazakhstan’s presidential election, the situation of freedom of speech and respect for the constitutional right to receive and disseminate information has become critical.
“Kazakhstan” newspaper was shut down after facing many lawsuits and criminal prosecution.
“Zhas Alash” newspaper has been brought to trial.
The practice of blocking access to websites, such as Navi, Kub, Eurasia, Svobodnaya Asia, and other internet resources continues.
The National Security Committee (NSC) brought charges against “Juma Times-Data Nedeli” newspaper for insulting the honour and dignity of President Nursultan Nazarbayev.
As a result of a lawsuit, the NSC ordered “Soz” newspaper’s editorial board to cease its activities and halted the paper’s publication.
In 2004, “Assandi Times” newspaper was ordered to pay Kazakhstan’s Presidential Administration 50 million tenge [approx. US$365,000] in damages.
“Respublika Delovoye Obozreniye” (“Respublika Business Review”) newspaper faces charges of insulting an anonymous individual who has filed a lawsuit seeking an exorbitant amount, 900 trillion tenge [approx. US$6,800 billion], in damages.
Finally, the Culture, Information and Sport Ministry has launched a lawsuit demanding the liquidation of one the owners of “Respublika Delovoye Obozreniye” newspaper.
We believe that these cases are part of a deliberate strategy to stifle free speech and close independent media outlets in advance of Kazakhstan’s presidential election.
We hereby express our disagreement with the authorities’ policy and protest against the vicious methods that are being applied against “undesirable” media outlets through the courts.
We call on all journalists, their professional organisations, and the public, to express solidarity with us and support our initiative to hold a meeting on 20 March 2005 in Almaty, for the purpose of protecting the independent press and freedom of expression in Kazakhstan.
The Public Committee to Protect Freedom of Speech consists of: Bulat Abilov, Ak Zhol party co-chairman, Tamara Kaleyeva, president of the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz”, Yevgeniy Zhovtis, head of the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, Oleg Katsiyev, head of the international organisation “Internews-Kazakhstan”, Rozlana Taukina, president of the Foundation “Journalists in Danger”, heads of independent Kazakhstani publications, and others.
