Address of the International
League for Human Rights to the President of Kazakhstan
President Nursultan Nazarbaev
Republic of Kazakhstan
VIA FAX: +7 3172 326 182
May 21, 2002 Dear Mr. President,
The International League for Human Rights, a non-governmental in
special consultative status at the United Nations, is seriously
concerned about the reports of an attack on the Almaty office of the Sol-Dat newspaper, one of Kazakhstan's few remaining
independent and opposition publications.
According to these reports, on May 21, four unknown persons forcibly
entered the editorial office of the newspaper, severely beating two
of its journalists. One of the attacked journalists, Bakhytgul
Makymbayeva, is said to be in a "serious" condition. The intruders
are also said to have bound the journalists' hands and taken all of
the office equipment with them. Upon leaving, they allegedly said:
"That was the last warning to you!"
Given the details of this particular attack and the recent history
of persecution of the Sol-Dat newspaper, whose
editor-in-chief was sentenced to a one-year prison term on charges
of insulting the honor and dignity of the president, as well as the
persecution of the country's independent mass media in general, the
League believes that this is yet another politically-motivated
attempt to silence all voices of dissent in Kazakhstan. Over the
last few years, in response to an ever assertive opposition both at
home and abroad, your government has repeatedly violated the freedom
of expression, closing down newspapers in criminal libel suits and
revoking licenses of several popular TV channels.
The League urges you to use your good offices to order an impartial
investigation into the brutal attack on Sol-Dat and to stop
persecuting independent and opposition media outlets, thereby
restoring the citizens' right to enjoy free access to information in
accordance with the international commitments your country has
undertaken.
Thank you for your attention. We await your response.
Sincerely,
Catherine Fitzpatrick
Executive Director
Cc: Amb. Saudabayev
VIA FAX: 202 232 5845
Cc: Amb. Napper
VIA FAX: 7 3272 587945 |