• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: SUSPENDED SENTENCE FOR ACTIVIST (UA: 31.23 Kazakhstan)

April 29, 2023

On 10 April, Zhanbolat Mamay, journalist and leader of the unregistered opposition Democratic Party of Kazakhstan was given a six-year suspended sentence for a peaceful protest on charges of insulting a government representative (Criminal Code, Article 378), spreading false information (Article 274), and organizing an illegal meeting. Amnesty International believes that Zhanbolat Mamay has been convicted for the peaceful expression of his views and all restrictions imposed on him should be lifted immediately and unconditionally.

TAKE ACTION:
  1. Please take action as-soon-as possible. This Urgent Action expires on 16 June, 2023.
  2. Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  3. Click here to let us know the actions you took on Urgent Action 31.22. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.
CONTACT INFORMATION
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Republic of Kazakhstan Nur-Sultan Mangilik Yel St, 6 Fax: +8 7172 74-56-31 Twitter: @TokayevKZ Email: [email protected]
Ambassador Yerzhan Ashikbayev Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan 1401 16th St NW, Washington DC 20036 Phone: 202 232 5488 Email: [email protected] Twitter: @KazakhEmbassy ; @KZAmbUS Facebook: @KazakhEmbassyDC Salutation: Dear Ambassador
SAMPLE LETTER Dear Mr President, I am writing to you concerning Zhanbolat Mamay who was sentenced to a six-year suspended sentence on 10 April 2023. I am concerned that the conviction on 10 April is retribution for his legitimate criticism of the government and his leadership of the unregistered opposition party, the Democratic Party of Kazakhstan. The suspended sentence imposes severe restrictions on Zhanbolat Mamay’s rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of movement. The conditions of his sentence prohibit any political or charitable activities, such as further attempts to register his political party, all journalistic activities and use of social media and restricts his freedom of movement. Any breach of these conditions could lead to a custodial sentence. Mamay has been sentenced to a six-year suspended sentence for insulting an official (Criminal Code, Article 378.2), spreading false information (Article 274.2) and organizing mass disturbances (Article 272). All these charges relate to the legitimate exercise of his right to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. I urge you to take all necessary steps in your power to ensure that all restrictions against Zhanbolat Mamay are lifted immediately and all charges against him dropped. Yours sincerely, [YOUR NAME] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Downloads