OSCE role highlights slow Kazakhstan reforms
15.01.2010. Category:Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan is fulfilling one of its most cherished foreign policy goals in taking up the chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the human rights watchdog.
As the first former Soviet republic to lead the 56-nation body, Kazakhstan this month succeeded Greece in assuming the chair.
But the role will carry risks for the oil-rich central Asian country, throwing an international spotlight on its faltering political reforms.
The OSCE is best known for monitoring elections, particularly in former eastern bloc states. Kanat Saudabayev, Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, told the OSCE ministerial council last month that Astana would be “strictly committed to the fundamental principles and values of the OSCE”.
But as chair, he said it would focus on terrorism, the environment and energy security, which would highlight the country’s potential as a global oil power.
Western governments have muted their criticism of human rights violations in central Asia, concerned that past scolding drove regimes to tighten ties with Russia and China.
The worsening war in Afghanistanhas made central Asian co-operation with supply operations for Nato critical, as Taliban attacks have taken a toll on shipments via Pakistan.
Astana began campaigning to lead the OSCE in 2006. The US and UK were reluctant to agree, given its role in promoting democracy, but agreed to delay the chairmanship a year until 2010 in exchange for reform.
Activists say Kazakhstan has since backtracked. Human Rights Watch said the government had “dealt a series of blows to human rights in 2009, tightening control of the media and launching politically motivated lawsuits against its critics”.
An internet law adopted in July extended state censorship to websites. Lawsuits filed in the name of a government anti-corruption campaign targeted businessmen with links to the opposition.
At a trial in November, Yevgeny Zhovtis, Kazakhstan’s leading human rights activist, was sentenced to four years in prison for negligent driving after a deadly traffic accident.
“Kazakhstan is interested in showing off its international standing, but the west will focus on its human rights, democracy building at home,” said Edward Chow, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
“There will be a spotlight on them if they fail to deliver on pledges for improvement to the OSCE.”
Source: Financial Times
As the first former Soviet republic to lead the 56-nation body, Kazakhstan this month succeeded Greece in assuming the chair.
But the role will carry risks for the oil-rich central Asian country, throwing an international spotlight on its faltering political reforms.
The OSCE is best known for monitoring elections, particularly in former eastern bloc states. Kanat Saudabayev, Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, told the OSCE ministerial council last month that Astana would be “strictly committed to the fundamental principles and values of the OSCE”.
But as chair, he said it would focus on terrorism, the environment and energy security, which would highlight the country’s potential as a global oil power.
Western governments have muted their criticism of human rights violations in central Asia, concerned that past scolding drove regimes to tighten ties with Russia and China.
The worsening war in Afghanistanhas made central Asian co-operation with supply operations for Nato critical, as Taliban attacks have taken a toll on shipments via Pakistan.
Astana began campaigning to lead the OSCE in 2006. The US and UK were reluctant to agree, given its role in promoting democracy, but agreed to delay the chairmanship a year until 2010 in exchange for reform.
Activists say Kazakhstan has since backtracked. Human Rights Watch said the government had “dealt a series of blows to human rights in 2009, tightening control of the media and launching politically motivated lawsuits against its critics”.
An internet law adopted in July extended state censorship to websites. Lawsuits filed in the name of a government anti-corruption campaign targeted businessmen with links to the opposition.
At a trial in November, Yevgeny Zhovtis, Kazakhstan’s leading human rights activist, was sentenced to four years in prison for negligent driving after a deadly traffic accident.
“Kazakhstan is interested in showing off its international standing, but the west will focus on its human rights, democracy building at home,” said Edward Chow, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
“There will be a spotlight on them if they fail to deliver on pledges for improvement to the OSCE.”
Source: Financial Times