Journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov subjected to inhumane treatment while in detention
On 17 January 2022, journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov, upon his release from Uralsk Special detention center of the department of internal affairs, reported that he was subjected to psychological pressure and inhumane treatment while in detention. The human rights defender was detained on 7 January 2022, in Uralsk, for covering the protests and demonstrations, some of them violent, which erupted in early January in Kazakhstan due to the public discontent with the augmentation of fuel prices. Although the human rights defender was present at the demonstration in his journalistic capacity, the court claimed that Lukpan Akhmedyarov took part in the protests.
On 7 January 2022, journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov was detained upon leaving the editorial office of the “Uralsk Week” in Uralsk, Kazakhstan. Later the same day, he was sentenced to ten days of administrative arrest for participation in an unsanctioned demonstration. According to his lawyer, Mereke Gabdualiev, the human rights defender was present at the demonstration in his journalistic capacity, but the court refused to take this into account. On 10 January 2022, the court upheld the decision despite the appeal by Lukpan Akhmedyarov’ lawyer to his detention.
Lukpan Akh
medyarov is a prominent Kazakh journalist, human rights defender and former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Uralskaya Nedelya (Uralsk Week). He has held several civil campaigns in defense of fundamental rights and freedoms. The authorities have repeatedly subjected Lukpan Akhmedyarov to unlawful arrests and detentions for his human rights work. In 2012, he received the Peter Mackler Award by the international human rights organization Reporters Without Borders for his civil courage and protection of the principles of independent journalism.
On 17 January 2022, journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov, upon his release from Uralsk Special detention center of the department of internal affairs, reported that he was subjected to psychological pressure and inhumane treatment while in detention. The human rights defender was detained on 7 January 2022, in Uralsk, for covering the protests and demonstrations, some of them violent, which erupted in early January in Kazakhstan due to the public discontent with the augmentation of fuel prices. Although the human rights defender was present at the demonstration in his journalistic capacity, the court claimed that Lukpan Akhmedyarov took part in the protests.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov reported that law enforcement officers did not switch off the fluorescent ceiling lights in his incarceration unit during three days of his detention. While the officers claimed it was done for the human rights defender’s safety, Lukpan Akhmedyarov reports that it led to sleep deprivation and severely affected his psychological state. He also reports that his eyesight significantly deteriorated after the officers at the detention facility subjected him to such an inhumane treatment.
Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned about the detention and detention conditions of human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov. It believes that this is a form of retaliation for his non-violent journalistic and human rights work. Front Line Defender reiterates that these actions are detrimental for the work of journalists and human rights defenders in Kazakhstan, as they undermine the access to free and independent press and limit their freedom of speech and expression.
On 7 January 2022, journalist and human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov was detained upon leaving the editorial office of the “Uralsk Week” in Uralsk, Kazakhstan. Later the same day, he was sentenced to ten days of administrative arrest for participation in an unsanctioned demonstration. According to his lawyer, Mereke Gabdualiev, the human rights defender was present at the demonstration in his journalistic capacity, but the court refused to take this into account. On 10 January 2022, the court upheld the decision despite the appeal by Lukpan Akhmedyarov’ lawyer to his detention.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov is a prominent Kazakh journalist, human rights defender and former editor-in-chief of the newspaper Uralskaya Nedelya (Uralsk Week). He has held several civil campaigns in defense of fundamental rights and freedoms. The authorities have repeatedly subjected Lukpan Akhmedyarov to unlawful arrests and detentions for his human rights work. In 2012, he received the Peter Mackler Award by the international human rights organization Reporters Without Borders for his civil courage and protection of the principles of independent journalism.
Lukpan Akhmedyarov’s detention follows several cases of judicial harassment against human rights defenders and journalists by the law enforcement officers since the beginning of the mass protests in Kazakhstan on 2 January 2022. On 4 January 2022, journalists of Azattyk radio and human rights defenders Darkhan Omirbek, Kasym Amanzholov, Aizhan Auelbekova were detained and released later on. On 9 January 2022, police officers searched the apartment and questioned freelance journalist Ardak Erubaeva, working for digital media outlet Orda.kz.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned about the detention of and accusations made against human rights defender Lukpan Akhmedyarov. It condemns the judicial prosecution of human rights defenders and journalists carrying out their professional work to cover the protests in Kazakhstan. Front Line Defender believes that these actions are detrimental for the work of human rights defenders and journalists in Kazakhstan, as they undermine the access to free and independent press and limit the freedom of speech and expression.
