Kazakhstan: Escalating Pressure on Independent Journalists ahead of Parliamentary Elections – Joint NGO Statement

Ahead of Kazakhstan’s parliamentary elections on 23 August 2026 – the first elections to the new unicameral Kurultai established under the new constitution approved in a referendum earlier this year – International Partnership for Human Rights (IPHR) have joined eight partner organisations in issuing a joint statement raising alarm about escalating pressure on independent journalists and media. The statement highlights concerns that political pressure on independent media has reached an unprecedented level and calls for enhanced international attention as the country approaches the elections.

The statement – signed by Adil Soz International Foundation, Araminta, Civil Rights Defenders, Committee to Protect Journalists, Crude Accountability, Freedom for Eurasia, International Partnership for Human Rights, Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law and Norwegian Helsinki Committee – draws attention to several recent cases illustrating this worrying trend:

Journalist Dinara Yegeubaeva is facing criminal charges over a traffic incident, despite circumstances raising serious questions about the justification for opening a criminal case against her. The proceedings have also reportedly been marred by procedural irregularities, reinforcing concerns about the case.

Following a series of earlier acts of intimidation and harassment, journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov is now being investigated for disseminating “false information” in a case reportedly stemming from a social media post in which he shared a list, compiled by a Ukrainian government project, of Kazakhstani citizens allegedly participating in Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine. Like Yegeubaeva, he has been barred from leaving the country.

Journalist Alexandra Alyokhova was recently convicted of unlawfully disseminating personal data after reporting information that had already been publicly disseminated. She received a three-year prison sentence – suspended for five years – and was banned from practising journalism for three years.

Journalist, blogger and political commentator Azamat Omarov has been placed in pre-trial detention on charges of “inciting discord” over videos featuring satirical and critical commentary about the authorities. His case raises renewed concerns about the misuse of this broadly worded Criminal Code provision – similar to the one on disseminating “false information” – to target government critics.

Taken together, these cases point to the apparent disproportionate or selective use of criminal law to restrict legitimate journalistic activity and critical expression.They form part of a broader pattern of pressure on independent media and journalists in Kazakhstan, including politically motivated prosecutions, online restrictions and other forms of harassment and intimidation. This trend is particularly worrying in the run-up to the 23 August elections: free and independent media are essential to ensuring that voters have access to diverse information and can meaningfully participate in public life.

The organisations signing the joint statement call on the Kazakhstani authorities to end harassment and intimidation of independent journalists, cease the misuse of criminal and other legal measures against journalism, guarantee journalists’ freedom of movement, and ensure that media can report freely before, during and after the elections. They also urge Kazakhstan’s international partners to closely monitor developments, publicly raise concerns about reprisals against journalists, and use diplomatic and other means to promote a safe and enabling environment for independent journalism.

The full joint NGO statement can be downloaded below.

For more information about the current situation affecting the freedoms of expression, association and assembly in Kazakhstan, see our recent update for the CIVICUS Monitor global initiative.