Open Letter regarding Kazakhstan’s OSCE Chairmanship Bid

H.E. Mr. Marat Tazhin

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Republic of Kazakhstan

Vienna, 27 April 2007

Dear Minister Tazhin,

As you may be aware, the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) is an international non-governmental organization, based in Vienna, that promotes and monitors compliance with international human rights standards within the OSCE area. In the past years the IHF has focused increasingly on Central Asia as a priority region, carrying out extensive human rights work in all countries of the region.

It is therefore with great interest that we have followed your Government’s bid for the OSCE Chairmanship in 2009. So far the IHF has chosen not to express a position on this initiative, preferring to emphasize the need to link Kazakhstan’s bid to the process of further democratic reform in your country.

In its pursuit of the OSCE Chairmanship, your Government has also endorsed the need to implement further democratic and human rights reforms before 2009. Despite this commitment, however, the IHF and other human rights organizations have witnessed and recorded a lack of progress, and in some cases, a deterioration in the enjoyment of some human rights. Of particular concern is the recently enacted legislation on freedom of the media, as well as the curtailment of the freedoms of association, assembly and religion.

Both Kazakhstan’s civil society and the international community have high hopes for your country’s Chairmanship bid to accelerate the process of strengthening democratic institutions and the consolidation of human rights reforms.

In this regard, the IHF seeks your views on the implications of your Government’s bid for the OSCE Chairmanship for human rights in Kazakhstan. In particular, we would value if you could inform us of your Government’s views and commitments regarding the following issues:

a)               Does your Government envisage, as part of its Chairmanship bid, to implement any legislative reforms in the human rights area? If so, what would these reforms encompass? 

b)               Does your Government intend to undertake any other initiatives during the current year to further the respect for human rights and the rule of law in Kazakhstan? In particular, are any measures seeking to strengthen civil society envisaged?

c)               With a view to Kazakhstan’s possible Chairmanship, has your Government developed an agenda for the human dimension in the OSCE area? If so, which thematic priorities would you include? 

d)               In past years there have been discussions within the OSCE as to the Organization’s co-operation with NGOs, and their degree of participation in OSCE meetings. Some have argued for restricting the NGOs’ presence and voice in some meetings; others, like President Putin in his recent speech in Munich, cast doubt on the integrity of NGO involvement in the OSCE. What is your Government’s position on these issues?

e)               What does your Government consider to be the particular strengths of the OSCE in the human dimension? How do you see ODIHR’s role in monitoring elections and will your Government be actively promoting this area?

We look forward to your response, and remain available to co-operate with your authorities towards the advancement of human rights in Kazakhstan.

Yours sincerely,

Aaron Rhodes

Executive Director of the IHF

Cc:      OSCE Chairman-in Office

           OSCE Secretary General

           Delegations to the OSCE

Source:          www.ihf-hr.org