OSCE Representative calls for immediate release of all members of the media detained in Kazakhstan

VIENNA, 21 May 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today criticized the recent mass detentions of members of the media in Kazakhstan.

“I call on the authorities to release all members of the media who have been detained ahead of protests planned during the weekend,” Mijatović said.

Dozens of journalists have reportedly been detained across the country in cities including Almaty, Astana, Atyrau, Djezkazgan, Karaganda, Shymkent and Uralsk. Among those detained are:

• Vyacheslav Polovinko, special correspondent with Novaya Gazeta;
• Murat Sultangaliev, correspondent with Ak Jayik;
• Ermurat Bapi, of newspaper DAT- Obschestvennaya Pozitsiya;
• Tamara Eslyamova, chief editor of Ural'skaya Nedelya;
• Toktarali Tanjaryk, editor of Dala Men Kala;
• Vladimir Tretyakov, photo reporter;
• Zhanna Baitelova, freelance reporter
• Makhmoud Baikhodjiev and Artem Miusov, correspondents with NUR.kz;
• Elena Ulyankina, correspondent with Novy Vestnik;
• Irina Sevostyanova, journalist with Vlast’ portal;
• Anara Bekbasova, journalist with Ratel.kz;
• Botagoz Omarova, Aiman Sagatai, Aleksandra Tirtishets, crew from 101 TV;

Among the detained were also correspondents of Interfax Kazakhstan, ITAR TASS and Russia Today. Although identifying themselves with press identification cards, the members of the media were detained and also brought to police stations where some of them had their fingerprints taken.

“I call on the authorities to immediately stop the practice of mass detentions of members of the media, a practice that has an enormous chilling effect on media freedom and safety of journalists in the country,” Mijatović said.

The Representative noted reports that some of the detained journalists have been released.

In a separate development, the websites of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Kazakh Service were blocked.

Access to Facebook and YouTube has been intermittent across the country since May 20.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more at www.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on www.facebook.com/osce.rfom.