The Supreme Commissar of the UN Human Rights Michel Bachelet expressed concern about the development of events in Kazakhstan and called on all, including security forces and protesters, to refrain from violence. She strongly recommended that all arrested for the realization of their rights to participate in peaceful protests and free expression of opinions. |

Kazakhstan: The UN calls for security forces and protests not to resort to violence

The Supreme Commissar of the UN Human Rights Michel Bachelet expressed concern about the development of events in Kazakhstan and called on all, including security forces and protesters, to refrain from violence. She strongly recommended that all arrested for the realization of their rights to participate in peaceful protests and free expression of opinions.

With reference to the police press secretary in the city of Almaty, Bachelet noted that dozens of protesters died at the hands of representatives of security forces. In addition, according to reports, during the protests that began on January 2, almost 1000 people were injured. According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Kazakhstan, as a result of riots, 12 law enforcement officials were killed, 317 police officers and the National Guard were injured.

Protesters should not resort to violence

“International law clearly says that people have the right to participate in peaceful protests and freedom of expression. At the same time, protesters, regardless of how angry or offended, should not resort to violence, ”said Bachelet.

All security forces should show restraint and protect protesters

At a briefing in New York, a press secretary of the UN Secretary General Stefan Duzharrik also said that protests should be peaceful, and security forces to protect their participants.

Letter to the UN from the CSTO

Stefan Dyuzharik confirmed that on Thursday morning, a letter was received from the UN organization from an organization of collective security agreement (CSTO) with a notification that she was sending strength to Kazakhstan.

“This morning, the organization of the collective security agreement informed us that it sends troops to Kazakhstan under existing bilateral agreements. It is important for us that the security forces, regardless of whether they are Kazakhstani or not, adhere to standards in the field of human rights, showed restraint and defended people's right to peaceful protests, ”said Dujarrick.

UN employees are safe

Answering the question, the press secretary said that 45 international employees and 240 employees of the UN system institutions are working in Kazakhstan. In this country, there are also 25 international employees from the UN Mission in Afghanistan.All of them, according to a UN spokesman, are safe.

Force against protesters is a last resort

Michelle Bachelet, in her statement, expressed concern that police allegedly used tear gas and stun grenades during clashes with demonstrators in Almaty. The protesters seized several government buildings in the city, set them on fire and tried to storm the police stations. On January 6, an intense exchange of gunfire between military and armed men took place in front of Almaty City Hall.

The High Commissioner reminded the Kazakh authorities that force can only be used, in strict compliance with the requirements of necessity and proportionality, as a last resort against specific individuals to remove an imminent threat of death or serious injury.

In connection with the request of the Kazakh authorities to send security forces to the country within the framework of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), whose members are Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation, Belarus, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia, the High Commissioner stressed that these forces must also comply with the norms and international law standards applicable to law enforcement officials.

State of emergency

The state of emergency, first declared on January 5 in several districts, including the largest city of Almaty and the capital Nur-Sultan, has now been extended to the entire country. This provision, including a curfew from 23:00 to 07:00, will last until 19 January.

“States do have the right to declare a state of emergency under certain limited circumstances, but any departure from fundamental human rights must meet strict requirements of necessity and proportionality. Some rights, including the right to life, the prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment, and the right not to be arbitrarily detained, continue to apply in all circumstances,” said the chief UN human rights activist.

Detentions and arrests

More than 2,000 people have been detained by Kazakh officials, according to Kazakh officials.

Bachelet called for the release of all those arrested and detained solely for exercising their rights to peaceful protest and freedom of expression. She demanded an immediate investigation into all allegations of human rights violations.

The State is also under an obligation to ensure that all procedural rights of detainees are fully respected.

Internet

The High Commissioner condemned the internet shutdown in Kazakhstan. “Internet shutdown limits people's access to information and their rights to freedom of expression, assembly and participation, and limits many other rights,” Bachelet said.

She urged the authorities of Kazakhstan to ensure the immediate and full restoration of Internet services, which are vital to the provision of emergency medical care during the COVID-19 pandemic.