Rights Watchdogs Condemn Sentencing of Kazakhstani Journalist

Two international human rights and press freedom watchdogs have issued strong condemnations after Gulnara Bazhkenova, the former editor-in-chief of the media outlet Orda.kz, was handed a multi-year prison term this week after being found guilty of criminal dissemination of false information, embezzlement, and illegal entrepreneurship by an Almaty court.According to both the International Partnership for Human Rights and the Committee to Protect Journalists, Bazhkenova’s sentencing comes amid what they describe as a wider “crackdown” on Kazakhstani media ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections.Bazhkenova, who had been under house arrest since last December, received an eight-year prison sentence on August 18, although it has been deferred for two years due to her having a young child.The journalist was also handed an additional five-year ban on “engaging in activities related to media, journalism, blogging, public events, and other forms of public engagement,” and barred from holding “managerial” or “financially responsible” positions in media organizations.She pleaded not guilty to all charges during the trial and intends to appeal the court’s ruling. “Bazhkenova’s case is far from an isolated one.Together with other recent cases highlighted in our joint statement last week, it illustrates the growing risks facing journalists who report critically on sensitive issues in Kazakhstan,” Rachel Gasowski, the IPHR’s regional director, told Vlast via email on August 19. “[Bazhkenova’s arrest] is especially alarming during an election period, when independent reporting and public scrutiny of those in power are particularly important,” Gasowski added.On August 13, the IPHR, CPJ, and four other international human rights and press freedom organizations, published a joint letter to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, urging him to help halt the “recent wave” of journalist arrests in Kazakhstan.In the letter, they also called for Kazakhstan’s “false information” law (Article 274 of the Criminal Code) to be decriminalized.Bashkenova was charged under the same provision, which has long been used in cases against journalists.