Kazakhstan: Joint Statement on January 2022 events
Civil society groups call to establish a fully independent investigation
Amnesty International
Freedom Now
International Partnership for Human Rights
Human Rights Watch
Norwegian Helsinki Committee
World Organisation Against Torture
Coalition of NGOs of Kazakhstan Against Torture
Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Public Foundation “Ar.Rukh.Khak”
Public Foundation “Liberty”
29 July 2022
Civil society groups call on Kazakhstan to establish a fully independent investigation into the January 2022 events
Six months after the deaths of over 240 people and hundreds were allegedly subjected to torture and other ill-treatment, there has been no accountability for the victims and their families. To ensure justice the Kazakhstani government needs to take urgent action to set up a fully independent investigation with the input of recognized independent international experts.
Background
According to official figures from the General Prosecutor’s Office, between 4 and 6 January, 2022, protests across the country and the response of Kazakhstani security forces[1] led to the deaths of 241 people. The authorities have not published an official list of those who died, except for 19 security officials. Radio Azattyq, RFE/RL’s Kazakh Service, compiled a list of 188 people who died during the events and the Ar.Rukh.Khak foundation has identified 221 people. Human Rights Watch research shows that on at least four occasions in Almaty, security forces used lethal force against protesters who posed no immediate threat to the lives of others. At least 10 people were shot dead during these 4 incidents. Hundreds of people were arbitrarily arrested and held in detention, where they faced further violence including beatings and electric shocks. In four documented cases, the security forces forcibly removed injured protesters from hospital, took them for interrogation and subsequently beat them. As of 11 July, 2022, the Coalition Against Torture, a Kazakhstani non-governmental organisation, received 172 reports of torture and other ill-treatment, including cases of rape and other sexual violence, in some cases against children.