Kazakh Ombudsman Azimova met with human rights defenders of Kyrgyzstan

Оn February 25, 2022, the Head of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic Askat Asanbekov and the Director of the NP of the Kyrgyz Republic Bakyt Rysbekov held an online meeting with the Commissioner for Human Rights in the Republic of Kazakhstan Elvira Azimova. The parties discussed issues of protecting the rights of Kyrgyz citizens previously detained during the riots in Kazakhstan in January 2022.

In particular, issues related to Vikram Ruzakhunov, Cholpon Sydykov, and Talgat Temirkan uulu, who has been detained in pre-trial detention center-13 in Taraz since January 28, 2022, were raised.

During the discussion, we came to a consensus on the expediency of conducting an independent examination by the recommendations of the Istanbul Protocol (the Manual of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Effective Investigation and Documentation of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment).

Regarding the arrival in Kazakhstan and participation in the procedural actions of Ch.Sydykov, the parties agreed to invite his lawyer to make a statement about the possibility of conducting his interrogation in an online format, taking into account his state of health and being treated in hospital.

Regarding Vikram Ruzakhunov, representatives of the Ombudsman Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic declared their readiness to accompany him on a trip to Kazakhstan to participate in the procedural actions that will be carried out by law enforcement agencies. E.Azimova suggested the Kyrgyz side consider the possibility of involving Kazakhstani lawyers to protect the procedural rights of its citizens in Kazakhstan. She said that the contractual framework between the two countries does not yet provide for the possibility of the activity of lawyers of one state on the territory of another state, including in criminal cases.

Regarding Talgat Temirkan uulu, who is in custody in connection with the charge of participating in mass riots, E.Azimova expressed readiness to assist his mother and lawyer in a meeting with the leadership of the Prosecutor's Office of Zhambyl region, which provides supervision over the observance of the rule of law during the criminal investigation. According to the received message of the Kazakh Ombudsman, this meeting took place on February 28, 2022.

At the end of the online meeting, the participants confirmed their commitment to compliance with obligations in the field of human and civil rights and freedoms, and also agreed on the need to maximize the potential of the legal framework with the participation of the two states, primarily the UN conventions, as well as the Minsk and Chisinau Conventions on Legal Assistance in Criminal and Civil Cases.