Press Freedom Groups Call on Kazakhstan to Drop Charges Against Journalists, Reform Media Laws

Six international press freedom and human rights organizations, including the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have called on Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to release journalists currently under house arrest and revise the country’s media legislation amid growing concerns over press freedom in the Central Asian nation.

In their letter sent Monday, the groups expressed alarm over what they described as an “escalating pattern of harassment of independent media in Kazakhstan” and a “recent spate of arrests” targeting journalists critical of the government.

The letter specifically highlighted the cases of several prominent independent journalists—Gulnara Bazhkenova, Amir Kasenov, Aset Matayev, and Botagoz Omarova—all currently under house arrest awaiting trial. According to the organizations, these cases represent part of a broader campaign against independent media voices in the country.

“Mr. President, collectively these attacks on the press threaten to create a climate of fear and self-censorship that irreparably undermines the credibility of your reform agenda,” the groups stated in their letter. President Tokayev’s office has declined to comment on the matter.

The media freedom advocates also pointed to other concerning trends, including the government’s months-long denial of accreditation to dozens of journalists from Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and the blocking of the news outlet ResPublika—actions they claim “appeared to have little justification beyond a desire to obstruct these outlets’ reporting.”

Social media censorship has also emerged as a significant issue, with the letter noting that “dozens of prominent journalists, news outlets, and press freedom groups have in recent months reported having their social media accounts and posts blocked or removed following spurious and apparently orchestrated complaints.”

The appeal comes at a politically significant moment for Kazakhstan. Just last month, constitutional changes initiated by Tokayev won overwhelming approval in a national referendum, solidifying his control over the country’s political system. The 72-year-old president, a former Soviet official and Kazakhstani diplomat with United Nations experience, is currently limited to one seven-year term until 2029. However, political analysts suggest Tokayev might use the recent referendum to reset presidential term limits.

Since taking office, Tokayev has carefully navigated Kazakhstan’s position between Russia and Western powers, particularly following the imposition of international sanctions against Moscow over its war in Ukraine. He has framed the recent constitutional changes as necessary adaptations to enable rapid decision-making in a volatile geopolitical environment.

Kazakhstan, rich in natural resources and the largest economy in Central Asia, has long been criticized by international human rights organizations for its restrictions on political opposition and independent media. While Tokayev has promised reforms since coming to power, critics argue that meaningful progress on media freedom and civil liberties has yet to materialize.

The groups urged the Kazakhstani president to ensure that journalists facing prosecution for their work are released and all charges against them dropped. They also called for amendments to laws on distributing false information to better protect legitimate journalistic activities and freedom of expression.

As Kazakhstan continues to position itself as a key regional power, its treatment of the press will likely remain under international scrutiny, with media freedom advocates warning that the ongoing crackdown could have lasting consequences for the country’s democratic development and international reputation.