Janaozen Still a Live Issue in Kazakstan
Europarliament member describes meetings with oil town residents, and how the Kazak authorities are responding in the aftermath of violence.
Janaozen Still a Live Issue in Kazakstan
Europarliament member describes meetings with oil town residents, and how the Kazak authorities are responding in the aftermath of violence.
Kazakstan’s government needs to understand the close link between respect for human rights and improved relations with the European Union, according to Piotr Borys, a Polish member of the European Parliament.
IWPR interviewed Borys, a member of Poland's Civic Platform Party, after he visited the oil town of Janaozen in western Kazakstan, which was the scene of violence on December 16, when police opened fire on protesting oil industry workers.
IWPR asked Borys to share his impressions about how people in Janaozen are coping in the wake of the violence, and about how responsive the government has been to international pressure on the issue.
Piotr Borys: I cannot stress enough how tragic the situation in Kazakstan was. However, since December last year there has been a significant development – persons responsible for the whole situation which led to the tragedy of December 16 are no longer in power.
The new governor of Mangistau region [appointed on December 22] and new akim [mayor of Janaozen appointed on February 9] are determined to set things right and resolve the problem.
During our visit, we were assured by the local authorities that they are focusing their efforts on finding those responsible for the tragic events and making sure that they will face appropriate punishment for their actions. We have been also assured that victims and their families are receiving the help needed.
The situation is extremely complicated and delicate, especially because the authorities are partly responsible for the actions which led to tragedy in Janaozen.
IWPR: There have been allegations of ill-treatment and torture of detainees taken into custody following the violence. The authorities deny this. How trustworthy are the statements they make?
Borys: I officially confronted the authorities with statements from witnesses about the ill-treatment of participants and persons detained during the events of the December 16-17…. The local authorities officially admitted that they are aware of the situation and they are committed to hold to account all those responsible.
Unofficially, we have been informed that ex-members of the police force who opened fire at protesters and inflicted ill-treatment on participants in the demonstration will be sent to court.
It should be emphasised that public opinion in Kazakstan and abroad is focused strongly on developments concerning the Janaozen tragedy.
IWPR: The government is putting pressure on opposition activists, accusing them of links to an exiled Kazak oligarch whom they allege wants to stage a revolution in Kazakstan. Given that this is the official view, how receptive were the officials you have met to calls to end persecution of activists?
Borys: We were assured that the repression of leaders of the opposition and media representatives had stopped. But they did confirm that leaders of the opposition had been detained and that court proceedings had commenced against them.
During meetings with opposition and families of those arrested, I got the clear impression that they are living in constant fear for their freedom and safety. They are too afraid to cooperate with investigations or to talk openly about the tragedy.
I tried to explain that this is no longer just an internal matter for Kazakstan. Moreover, the way this problem is handled will have massive implications for the future of Kazakstan – for whether it will develop towards democracy, or towards an authoritarian regime.
I firmly expressed the opinion of the European Parliament, emphasising that this problem – if left unresolved – will always cast a shadow over our relationship with Kazakstan. However, I strongly believe that the declarations made by the authorities will result in positive actions.
It is extremely important to us, and to me personally, to ensure that opposition leaders and journalists who have been arrested get a chance of a fair and transparent trial.... Without free media and independent governmental opposition there is no democracy, and no chance of improving the current political situation.
IWPR: The Kazak authorities have declined an offer to send international experts to be part of the probe into Janaozen. Do you think the chances of that happening have now been exhausted?
Borys: We have been calling, and continue to call, for the presence of independent international observers in all of the proceedings.
The Kazak authorities are of the opinion that this is an internal matter, and that the presence of an external delegation could pose a threat to the sovereignty of Kazakstan. I nevertheless believe that international public opinion should persistently press for such a presence.
IWPR: What do you think your visit to Janaozen achieved?
Borys: First, the change in the attitude of the authorities and prosecutors is noticeable. The clear attempt to be open to cooperation with external bodies... and the promise of transparent and fair court proceedings are very promising.
Secondly, our actions clearly presented the position of the European Parliament with regard to the rights and treatment of opposition members and journalists who have been arrested.
Finally, it is crucial that the authorities understand that economic cooperation is closely connected with respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Further economic cooperation between the EU and Kazakstan will not be possible unless the situation with the opposition and free media improves.
IWPR: The efforts of a group of MEPs like yourself, and your colleagues from a number of other countries, have focused on getting the EU to link signing of the New Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Kazakstan to demands relating to Janaozen. How much progress have MEPs made towards achieving this?
Borys: Our actions are mainly diplomatic in nature. We have presented our opinion to Kazak authorities, and received assurances that these issues will be resolved. Now we are waiting for the actions that back up those declarations....
IWPR: How did you get involved in raising the Janaozen issue?
Borys: My involvement in these matters began quite accidentally. I was asked by the Poland-based NGO, Open Dialogue Foundation, to organise a meeting between Kazak opposition leaders and MEPs. During this meeting, I became very interested in the subject-matter.
After their visit to the European Parliament, members of the opposition [Alga party leader Vladimir Kozlov and Vzglyad newspaper editor Igor Vinyavsky] were arrested on their return to Kazakstan.
Since then, I have been very concerned about the political situation in Kazakstan.
Saule Mukhametrakhimova is IWPR Central Asia editor.
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