Journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov was detained upon leaving the editorial office of the “Uralsk Week” in Uralsk, Kazakhstan, on January 7. Later the same day, he was sentenced to ten days of administrative arrest for participation in an unsanctioned demonstration.
According to his lawyer, Mereke Gabdualiev, the human rights defender was present at the demonstration in his journalistic capacity, but the court refused to take this into account. On January 10, the court upheld the decision despite the appeal by Lukpan Akhmedyarov’ lawyer to his detention.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov is a prominent Kazakh journalist, human rights defender and former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Uralskaya Nedelya (Uralsk Week). He has held several civil campaigns in defense of fundamental rights and freedoms.
The authorities have repeatedly subjected Lukpan Akhmedyarov to unlawful arrests and detentions for his human rights work. In 2012, he received the Peter Mackler Award by the international human rights organization Reporters Without Borders for his civil courage and protection of the principles of independent journalism.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov’s detention follows several cases of judicial harassment against human rights defenders and journalists by the law enforcement officers since the beginning of the mass protests in Kazakhstan on January 2.
On January 4, journalists of Azattyk radio and human rights defenders Darkhan Omirbek, Kasym Amanzholov, Aizhan Auelbekova were detained and released later on. On January 9, police officers searched the apartment and questioned freelance journalist Ardak Erubaeva, working for digital media outlet Orda.kz.
Front Line Defenders (FLD) expressed deep concern about the detention of and accusations made against human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov. It condemns the judicial prosecution of human rights defenders and journalists carrying out their professional work to cover the protests in Kazakhstan.
It believes that these actions are detrimental for the work of human rights defenders and journalists in Kazakhstan, as they undermine the access to free and independent press and limit the freedom of speech and expression.
FLD uged Kazakh authorities to take all necessary measures to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov, as it is believed that the charges are solely motivated by his legitimate and peaceful work in defence of human rights.
It asked to Immediately stop the judicial prosecution and harassment of Lukpan Akhmedyarov and other journalists and human rights defenders covering the protests in Kazakhstan, as well as guarantee their physical and psychological security and integrity.
It sought to cease the practice of using the word “terrorism” against civil society activists, human rights defenders and journalists in reprisal for their legitimate human rights work and practicing their profession.
It seeks to guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Kazakhstan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
