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December 17, 2025 – Kazakhstan –
Human rights organisations are intensifying criticism of Kazakhstani authorities for a recent surge in actions targeting independent journalists and media outlets, describing the developments as part of a widening crackdown on free expression and press freedom. A coalition of nine international human rights groups, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch (HRW), has publicly condemned a series of police raids, detentions, and administrative pressures that rights advocates say are aimed at stifling independent journalism in Kazakhstan.
The tensions escalated in early December 2025 when police searched the Orda.KZ Independent News Agency’s newsroom in Almaty, along with equipment and documents. Authorities detained Gulnara Bazhkenova, the outlet’s editor-in-chief, and placed her under two months of house arrest on charges of disseminating allegedly false information. Lawyers for Bazhkenova reportedly were not shown a valid search warrant, raising concerns about procedural rights. Other journalists have also reported intimidation, restrictions on their online accounts, and interference with their digital platforms.
Rights advocates have emphasised that these measures exacerbate longstanding restrictions on media freedom in the country. According to HRW, the government’s recent actions represent both a continuation and intensification of a pattern of limiting independent reporting through legal and administrative tools. Critics argue that charges such as “false information” are overly broad and have been applied selectively against critical voices, creating a chilling effect across Kazakhstan’s media landscape.
The coalition of rights groups has called on Kazakhstan to halt the raids, end the detention of journalists like Bazhkenova, and ensure meaningful legal protections for media workers. They stress that ensuring an environment conducive to free expression is essential for upholding both constitutional commitments and international human rights obligations.
The concerns come amid broader scrutiny of Kazakhstan’s human rights climate, with observers noting increased use of legal mechanisms to suppress dissent and independent reporting across Central Asia. Rights experts argue that current practices risk undermining public trust and diminishing the space for civil society engagement in the country.
Reference –
https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/12/17/kazakhstan-journalism-free-expression-in-further-peril
HR Organizations Warn Kazakhstan’s Independent Journalism Faces Increasing Crackdown
