Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called on Kazakhstan to act on the recommendations issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) held on Thursday. The council, consisting of 103 state delegates, presented 294 recommendations covering a wide range of human rights concerns, including civil and political rights, gender-based violence, LGBT rights, and the rights of people with disabilities.
A key focus of the UPR was accountability for human rights violations that occurred during the January events of 2022. Mass protests erupted in Kazakhstan that year in response to rising fuel prices, and the government’s violent crackdown led to widespread allegations of torture, unlawful detention, and the disproportionate use of force. The UNHRC emphasized the need for thorough investigations into these abuses, urging Kazakhstan to hold those responsible accountable and end the culture of impunity surrounding such acts.
Though Kazakhstan is not a signatory to the Convention against Torture, it has voluntarily agreed to accept the competence of the Committee against Torture, signaling its willingness to engage with international human rights frameworks. This commitment was highlighted during the review as member states continued to press Kazakhstan to address torture allegations and ensure proper accountability mechanisms are in place.
In its response to the UNHRC’s recommendations, Kazakhstan pointed to recent steps taken to strengthen its judicial system, particularly the creation of the Constitutional Court in November 2022. This court, designed to hear legal appeals from all individuals—regardless of nationality—represents a significant move toward enhancing access to justice and the protection of human rights. The establishment of the court, along with the abolition of the death penalty, was praised by the UN as positive progress since the last review cycle.
However, the international community has called for further reforms, particularly in ensuring the protection of fundamental rights during civil unrest and addressing the legacy of violence in the aftermath of the 2022 protests.
Kazakhstan now faces a deadline of 2030 to fully implement the UNHRC’s recommendations before its next review. The pressure is mounting for the country to uphold its international human rights obligations, with a clear expectation for concrete progress on key issues. The global community is watching closely to see whether Kazakhstan will take the necessary steps to foster a more accountable and just society.
