OSCE Media Freedom Representative concluded official visit to Kazakhstan where she participated in Eurasian Media Forum
VIENNA, 20 September 2021 – The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Teresa Ribeiro, concluded her official visit to Kazakhstan on 17 September.
Ribeiro met with Minister of Foreign Affairs Mukhtar Tleuberdi, Chairperson of the Supreme Court Zhakyp Asanov, Minister of Information and Social Development Aida Balayeva, Chair of the Senate of the Parliament Maulen Ashimbaev and Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan for International Co-operation Erzhan Kazykhan.
Ribeiro addressed the issue of safety of journalists, with particular focus on online safety of female journalists; various concerns related to disinformation; and other challenges that the media community faces in Kazakhstan.
The Representative and her counterparts also discussed several ongoing legislative developments pertaining to freedom of the media, with the aim of bringing the legal framework in line with relevant international standards and OSCE commitments. In this regard, it was agreed that her Office will provide assistance in drafting a law on Mass Media.
The Representative also met with Lazzat Ramazanova, Chairperson of the National Commission on Women Affairs and Family and Demographic Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Elvira Azimova, Human Rights Commissioner; and several journalists in the country.
Ribeiro expressed her readiness to continue providing all necessary assistance to local authorities in line with her mandate, relevant international standards and OSCE commitments on media freedom and freedom of expression.
She concluded her visit by participating in the Eurasian Media Forum in a panel titled “How the pandemic has changed the world and defined new vectors of global coexistence”. The Eurasian Media Forum took place in Nur-Sultan from 15 to 17 September.
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.