UN human rights experts condemned unrestrained use of force, including lethal force, against protesters in Kyrgyzstan and called on to ensure an independent investigation into the events. The Kazakhstani mass media report.
The Special Rapporteur on counter-terrorism and human rights, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin said that Kazakhstan’s overly broad use of the word «terrorism» in this context against protesters, civil society activists, human rights defenders, journalists and political parties appeared aimed at instilling fear and was deeply concerning.
Other experts also expressed concern over the order of the Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to security forces to «shoot to kill» demonstrators, whom he called «bandits and terrorists.» They called for «an independent and human rights-based investigation into cases of state use of force against protesters» in Kazakhstan.
The UN experts recalled that the lethal force must be used solely in self-defence and when all other means have been exhausted, including non-lethal force. They stressed that these principles were also applicable to foreign forces operating on the territory of Kazakhstan with its consent.
Mass protests in Kazakhstan began on January 2, 2022. Residents of Zhanaozen and Aktau in Mangistau region opposed the increase in prices for liquefied gas, then the protests spread to other regions. The situation is slowly stabilizing; the anti-terrorist operation continues. Internet access has been restored.
President of the republic Kassym-Jomart Tokayev introduced a state of emergency in the republic, dismissed the government and became the head of the Security Council. At his request, the CSTO countries sent peacekeeping forces to Kazakhstan. Scorpion special unit was sent to the republic from Kyrgyzstan.
