5 July 2005, Almaty

The Future of Civil Society in the Republic of Kazakhstan

‘The most important goal is the further development of human rights
and freedoms for Kazakhstan’s citizens – freedom of speech,
freedom of association and freedom of conscience’

(from the message of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan
to the Kazakhstan nation ‘Kazakhstan on the road to rapid economic,
social and political modernisation’)

A press conference ‘The Future of Civil Society in the Republic of Kazakhstan’ is being organised by national and international non-governmental organisations on 7 July 2005 at 12:00 in Kazakhstan Press-Club.

At the press-conference, representatives of non-governmental organisations will appeal to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the draft laws: ‘Amendments to Several Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning National Security’, ‘Amendments to Several Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning Non-Governmental Organisations’, ‘On the Activity of Area and Representative Offices of International and Foreign Non-Governmental Organisations on the Territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan’.

Over the recent months these drafts laws have been the subject of tense discussions between the government, deputies and civil society. Fundamental civil rights, such as freedom of speech, freedom of association and freedom of conscience, consolidated in international agreements and the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan, would be legally restricted if the draft laws were to be passed.

More than 250 national non-governmental and international non-profit organisations in Kazakhstan have already sent appeals to members of the Kazakhstan’s parliament, the General Prosecutor’s Office and the Kazakhstan’s government. They are asking for the draft laws to be abandoned, as they contravene the constitution, presidential policy, Kazakhstan’s international legal and political obligations, and would undermine the country’s image in the eyes of the international community.

Constructive dialogue between all branches of power and civil society is the basis for a democratic and lawful state, in which human rights and freedoms are an absolute value.

The press conference will be held in Suite 320, Scientist’s House, 29 Kurmangazy Street, Almaty

Main speakers at the press conference:
Ninel Fockina, Almaty Helsinki Committee
Eugene Zhovtis, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Zhemis Turmagambetova, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law
Tamara Kaleeva, International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech ‘Adil Soz’
Gulnara Mukhambetova, Centre of Public Problems Analysis
Adil Dzhalilov, ‘MediaNet’ International Journalism Centre
Vsevolod Ovcharenko, International Centre for Non-Profit Law
Vera Tkachenko, Penal Reform International (PRI)
Nicolas Cantau, AIDS Foundation East-West, AFEW
 

For more information please contact: Linara Akhmedzyanova
E-mail: linara_akhmedzyanova@afew.org