VP/HR — Democratic opposition in Kazakhstan

10.10.2014

Question for written answer E-007824-14
to the Commission (Vice-President/High Representative)
Rule 130
Jadwiga Wiśniewska (ECR) , Anna Elżbieta Fotyga (ECR) , Zdzisław Krasnodębski (ECR) , Janusz Wojciechowski (ECR) , Stanisław Ożóg (ECR) , Beata Gosiewska (ECR) , Marek Jurek (ECR) , Kazimierz Michał Ujazdowski (ECR) , Marek Józef Gróbarczyk (ECR) , Bolesław G. Piecha (ECR) , Andrzej Duda (ECR)

Events in Kazakhstan — the putting down of strikes in Zhanaozen, violations of human rights, the crackdown against an opposition seeking to loosen ties with Russia — recall similar events which occurred in Poland under the communist dictatorship. The international community, including the European Parliament, has repeatedly expressed concern about the ongoing repression by the Kazakh authorities. The VP too has criticised the state of the country’s judiciary. Vladimir Kozlov was convicted in a show trial. Zinaida Mukhortova has been forced to undergo psychiatric treatment. Many opposition activists have been detained and the authorities are doing all they can to bring Mukhtar Ablyazov into their custody. Extradition requests — clearly political in nature — were submitted in this case by the investigating authorities of Russia and Ukraine (under the Yanukovych regime), both of which were sympathetic towards the Kazakh Government. The extradition procedures are lacking in transparency. EU action, which is focused on supporting reform of the justice system and a dialogue on human rights, is insufficient and fails to match the seriousness of the situation.

1. How does the VP assess respect for human rights and the functioning of the justice system in Kazakhstan? Does that assessment have an impact on EU-Kazakhstan relations as a whole, including trade relations?

2. Is the VP aware of the current situation facing Kazakh dissidents, including the recent worrying developments in the case of Mukhtar Ablyazov, and does the VP not fear that the extradition of a dissident, given the high probability that he would be tortured and persecuted, would undermine the EU’s credibility as a promoter of democracy, human rights and the rule of law?