Violation of freedom of speech in Kazakhstan March, 2014 (Digest)

International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech «Adil Soz» has pursued a study about prosecutions of media outlets, journalists and citizens in connection with their exercise of right to freedom of speech.
There were:
- Arrest warrant of Nataliya Sadykova was given; she was charged with libel;
- Suit was instituted against blogger Askar Shaygumarov in the amount of KZT500000;
- «Adil Soz» and Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan have made a statement, concerning suspension and closure of independent media.

In March, 2014 media outlets and citizens dealt with five new suits about protection of honour, dignity and business reputation.
Five judgments of earlier considered cases were rendered. 2 of them in favour of media outlets and citizens.
In general, since the start of the year media outlets and citizens in connection with exercise of right to freedom of expression, receiving and dissemination of information dealt with:
- 28 claims and suits on protection of honour, dignity and business reputation (3 of them are – passed data) in the amount of KZT twenty millions forty hundreds and thousands;
- 4 charges with libel and slander (including one charge upon passed data).