Human Rights Watch (HRW) has made a public call urging Kazakhstan to take decisive actions towards implementing recommendations from member states at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) Universal Periodic Review. This appeal, released on January 30, 2025, highlights the council’s comprehensive review, which saw input from 103 state delegates, resulting in 294 recommendations addressing a spectrum of human rights concerns.
The recommendations aim to enhance Kazakhstan’s adherence to basic human rights standards as outlined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Key issues identified included gender-based violence, LGBT rights, and the rights of people with disabilities. A critical focus remained on events that transpired during the January 2022 protests, where government forces were reported to have engaged in excessive force and torture, resulting in widespread human rights violations. HRW and multiple countries have stressed the need for Kazakhstan to thoroughly investigate these allegations and ensure that those responsible are held accountable, aiming to end impunity.
Despite not being a signatory to the Convention against Torture, Kazakhstan has acknowledged the authority of the Committee Against Torture to address complaints against it, indicating a commitment to addressing related issues. Furthermore, Kazakhstan has highlighted its recent judicial reform, notably the establishment of a Constitutional Court in November 2022. This court allows individuals, irrespective of nationality, direct access to appeal legal matters free of charge, embodying principles of access to justice and equality before the law.
Member states within the UN Human Rights Council have expressed approval of Kazakhstan’s legal reforms, including the abolition of the death penalty as a step towards aligning with international human rights standards since the last review cycle. However, HRW underscores that Kazakhstan has until 2030 to enact the full range of recommended reforms before the next periodic review. The UN Human Rights Council continues to monitor the progress to ensure that concrete measures are taken to address the identified human rights deficiencies.
Further details on HRW’s appeal can be found in the original article on JURIST.