06.05.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

""A Law on Non-Freedom of Conscience""

Leaders of  religious communities concerned about proposals in parliament to amend religion law; according to the Lutheran Bishop Yuri Novgorodov, the law would be "a Law on Non-Freedom of Conscience." [ID 96384]

30.04.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Alarm at state-backed planned new Religion Law"

Authorities pan new religion law which would introduce more restrictions on freedom of thought, conscience and belief [ID 96145]

30.04.2008 - Source:US Department of State

"Country Report on Terrorism 2007"

Country Reports on Terrorism (including detailed list of terrorist organisations) [ID 96408]

25.04.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Growing threats to religious property"

Building used for worship by the Protestant New Life Church in Alga under threat of confiscation by the authorities; Remaining buildings of the Hare Krishna commune near Almaty remain under threat of demolition by the authorities; religious communities fear wider state campaign to target their property [ID 95941]

23.04.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

""Higher authorities" behind prosecutions of religious communities"

State prosecution of unregistered and registered churches; registered Salem Church charged with holding illegal meetings in private homes; according to an official, "higher authorities" were compelling local officials to bring charges against an unregistered Baptist church [ID 95939]

08.04.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Heavy sentences on Muslims "to discredit Islam and believers"?"

Shymkent: According to Forum 18, 14 Muslims were sentenced in February 2008 to between 14 and 19 and a half years in prison at a closed trial; secret police KNB claim that the group was preparing terrorist attacks; relatives complained the KNB had planted evidence and that the trial was unfair [ID 95013]

02.04.2008 - Source:Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

"Shots Fired At Offices Of Independent Newspaper"

Almaty: Kazakh police are investigating who fired three shots through the windows of the independent newspaper "Taszharghan" (Stonebreaker) [ID 94657]

31.03.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Kazak State Tightens Grip on Media"

The government bought the remaining 50% of the shares of the country’s largest broadcasting conglomerate on 21 March 2008; now the enterprise is 100% state owned [ID 94506]

28.03.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Large fines as official tells Baptists not to appeal to UN or OSCE"

Two Baptists fined for peaceful religious activities; another Baptist, Dmitry Jantsen, was warned by officials that his congregation would be closed down and he would be jailed; Officials again threatened to demolish a Hare Krishna temple near Almaty [ID 94401]

26.03.2008 - Source:Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

"President's Ex-Son-In-Law Found Guilty Of Coup Plot"

A military court found Rakhat Aliev guilty of planning a coup, among other crimes, and sentenced him to 20 years in prison in absence; Aliev says, he is a victim of political persecution [ID 94215]

26.03.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Kazakstan Keeps Lid on Public Meetings"

Human rights activists say, current national law on freedom of assembly is vague and restrictive; breaking law by staging unauthorised rallies can be penalised with up to one year in jail; according to leader if oppositional Azat party, indoor assemblies are restricted as well; this voids opposition parties of chance of speaking to electorate [ID 94271]

20.03.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Kazak Builders at Risk From Poor Safety Standards"

Construction companies are cutting corners when it comes to safety standards; workers are suffering more accidents as a result [ID 93892]

13.03.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Child Labour Still Blights Kazakstan"

New report says authorities are doing too little to eliminate exploitation of minors [ID 93537]

11.03.2008 - Source:US Department of State

"Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007"

Country Report on Human Rights Practices 2007 [ID 93291]

11.03.2008 - Source:Minority Rights Group International 

"State of the World's Minorities 2008"

Annual report on current situation of minorities [ID 93467]

08.03.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Kazak Youth Urge Abortion Crackdown"

Leading youth organisation demands ban on abortions; experts fear this would drive abortionists underground [ID 93055]

29.02.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"Kazak Hospitals Suffer Winter Drugs Shortage"

Medical policy leaves Kazakh hospitals with no supply of drugs; policy sees drugs to be purchased only in spring; thus, shortages are difficult to deal with and leave hospitals with lack of medicine at start of year [ID 92619]

28.02.2008 - Source:Institute for War and Peace Reporting 

"OSCE Pressure Unlikely to Prompt Kazak Reforms"

Human rights activists don't expect substantial changes due to OSCE chairmanship in 2010; country still has repressive media policy, limited freedom of speech and cases of harassment and detention of political opponents [ID 92523]

25.02.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Are intrusive questionnaires "a simple formality"?"

Authorities demand that religious communities and leaders complete highly intrusive questionnaires covering wide range of personal, political, religious and other matters [ID 92642]

22.02.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

" New wave of raids on Baptists and Jehovah's Witnesses"

Baptists who refuse to apply for state registration and Jehovah's Witnesses are facing increased state hostility [ID 92639]

15.02.2008 - Source:Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

"Kazakhstan: One Of Few Remaining Independent Newspapers Faces Closure"

Court has ordered the independent newspaper "Law and Justice" to be closed, alleging that errors were made when the newspaper was registered [ID 91931]

15.02.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"Revival of state hostility to religious organisations fuels intrusive check-ups?"

Human rights activist sees revival of state hostility to religious organisations; secret police, Interior Ministry and Prosecutor's Office step up intrusive check ups on religious communities [ID 92075]

13.02.2008 - Source:Reporters Sans Frontières

"Annual Report 2008"

Annual Report 2008 (covering 2007) [ID 92793]

07.02.2008 - Source:Forum 18 

"How threatening are President Nazarbayev's comments?"

Although officials have played down harsh comments by president Nazarbayev on religious movements, government has stepped up pressure on various religious communities [ID 91226]

04.02.2008 - Source:Committee to Protect Journalists 

"Attacks on the Press in 2007"

Annual report on press freedom in 2007 [ID 91060]