During an official visit to Astana, Kazakhstan on November 17, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell met with representatives of civil society and human rights activists ahead of his meeting with Kazakhstan President Tokayev.
As reported by the Deputy Director of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights, Borrell paid special attention to the case of the arbitrarily detained Karim Massimov. The latter was detained on January 5, 2022, alongside 10,000 others.
In a press conference at the conclusion of his visit, Borrell continued to call on Kazakhstan to conduct an independent and transparent investigation into the tragic events of January this year. In order for Kazakhstan to turn the page, there must be justice and accountability.”
International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Karim Massimov continue. The Government of Kazakhstan must enact the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and others by releasing Massimov, to demonstrate adherence to international rule of law and the defense of human rights. Alternatively, the EU and others will have to reassess their investment and trade relationships in Kazakhstan.
