Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASTANA1104
2009-07-07 09:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Astana
Cable title:
KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JUNE 15-26
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UNCLAS ASTANA 001104
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KCRM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JUNE 15-26
UNCLAS ASTANA 001104
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KCRM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JUNE 15-26
1. The "Almaty Notes" series from U.S. Office Almaty focuses on
developments in civil society, the media, and the opposition in
Kazakhstan's "southern capital."
LUKEWARM RESPONSE TO AZAT'S CALL FOR A MERGER
2. Bulat Abilov, the leader of the opposition Azat party, publicly
hailed the recently-formed block of opposition parties, which is
comprised of the National Democratic Party (OSDP),the unregistered
Alga Party, and the Communist Party. He stressed his priority is
Azat's full merger with OSDP, and claimed that negotiations about
the merger are already underway. His opposition colleagues,
however, do not seem to share his enthusiasm. Communist leader
Serikbolsyn Abdildin told the newspaper "Obshestvennaya Pozitsiya"
that Abilov simply "wants other parties to join Azat." It is
difficult for the Communist Party to find common ground with the
"bourgeois Azat," asserted Abdildin, adding that the newly-formed
opposition bloc is a compromise that works for all involved.
WORKERS GO ON STRIKE OVER UNPAID WAGES
3. On June 22, about 1,500 employees of the Almaty Railroad Car
Repair Factory suspended their work for two hours to protest against
unpaid salaries. The employees protested their low wages and a
recent cut in vacation time, as well as a lack of proper work
equipment. The protest action ended before noon but the workers
promised to resume the action if their demands were not satisfied.
NGO COALITION AGAINST TORTURE
4. Several NGOs -- including the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human
Rights, the Charter for Human Rights, the Legal Policy Research
Center and the International MediaNet Center -- have established a
new coalition called "Fight against Torture." The coalition will
provide consultations for free and assist victims of torture in
filing complaints. During this past year, representatives of the
Charter for Human Rights plan to conduct inspections of police
detention cells. According to the new coalition's statistics, from
April 2007 through January 2009, there were 586 cases when detainees
were subjected to torture.
DIRTY ROAD POLICE EXPOSED
5. On June 23, the Almaty department of the National Security
Committee (KNB) reported the uncovering of a criminal ring in the
ranks of the city road police. Members of the ring were involved in
forging driving licenses and accident records. The KNB has revealed
63 forged records filed by 53 police officers. A probe has been
launched.
HOAGLAND
SIPDIS
STATE FOR SCA/CEN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV KDEM KCRM KZ
SUBJECT: KAZAKHSTAN: ALMATY NOTES, JUNE 15-26
1. The "Almaty Notes" series from U.S. Office Almaty focuses on
developments in civil society, the media, and the opposition in
Kazakhstan's "southern capital."
LUKEWARM RESPONSE TO AZAT'S CALL FOR A MERGER
2. Bulat Abilov, the leader of the opposition Azat party, publicly
hailed the recently-formed block of opposition parties, which is
comprised of the National Democratic Party (OSDP),the unregistered
Alga Party, and the Communist Party. He stressed his priority is
Azat's full merger with OSDP, and claimed that negotiations about
the merger are already underway. His opposition colleagues,
however, do not seem to share his enthusiasm. Communist leader
Serikbolsyn Abdildin told the newspaper "Obshestvennaya Pozitsiya"
that Abilov simply "wants other parties to join Azat." It is
difficult for the Communist Party to find common ground with the
"bourgeois Azat," asserted Abdildin, adding that the newly-formed
opposition bloc is a compromise that works for all involved.
WORKERS GO ON STRIKE OVER UNPAID WAGES
3. On June 22, about 1,500 employees of the Almaty Railroad Car
Repair Factory suspended their work for two hours to protest against
unpaid salaries. The employees protested their low wages and a
recent cut in vacation time, as well as a lack of proper work
equipment. The protest action ended before noon but the workers
promised to resume the action if their demands were not satisfied.
NGO COALITION AGAINST TORTURE
4. Several NGOs -- including the Kazakhstan Bureau for Human
Rights, the Charter for Human Rights, the Legal Policy Research
Center and the International MediaNet Center -- have established a
new coalition called "Fight against Torture." The coalition will
provide consultations for free and assist victims of torture in
filing complaints. During this past year, representatives of the
Charter for Human Rights plan to conduct inspections of police
detention cells. According to the new coalition's statistics, from
April 2007 through January 2009, there were 586 cases when detainees
were subjected to torture.
DIRTY ROAD POLICE EXPOSED
5. On June 23, the Almaty department of the National Security
Committee (KNB) reported the uncovering of a criminal ring in the
ranks of the city road police. Members of the ring were involved in
forging driving licenses and accident records. The KNB has revealed
63 forged records filed by 53 police officers. A probe has been
launched.
HOAGLAND