Violations of freedom of speech in Kazakhstan April, 2014 (Digest)
International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil Soz” has conducted its next monitoring of persecutions of media outlets, journalists and citizens in connection with their exercise of right to freedom of speech in April, 2014.
There was following information:
- The sentence was passed to organizer of attempted homicide of journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov. Neither Akhmedyarov, nor accused person disagreed with sentence.
- The Head of Internet-project Insiderman Valeriy Surganov was charged with slander with regard to a judge.
- The newspaper “Assandi-Times” was acknowledged as element of “universal media” “Respublika” and closed, according to judgment.
- New article “Dissemination of misleading information” was introduced into Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Pre-trial blocking of Internet-resources had amendments to law “On Communication” of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In April, 2014 media outlets and citizens dealt with three new suits about protection of honour, dignity and business reputation.
Seven judgments of earlier considered cases were rendered. 6 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:
- 7 charges with libel and slander (including one charge upon passed data);
- 33 claims and suits on protection of honour, dignity and business reputation (3 of them are – passed data) in the amount of KZT one hundred and thirty two millions and nine hundred and thousands.
There was following information:
- The sentence was passed to organizer of attempted homicide of journalist Lukpan Akhmedyarov. Neither Akhmedyarov, nor accused person disagreed with sentence.
- The Head of Internet-project Insiderman Valeriy Surganov was charged with slander with regard to a judge.
- The newspaper “Assandi-Times” was acknowledged as element of “universal media” “Respublika” and closed, according to judgment.
- New article “Dissemination of misleading information” was introduced into Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
- Pre-trial blocking of Internet-resources had amendments to law “On Communication” of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
In April, 2014 media outlets and citizens dealt with three new suits about protection of honour, dignity and business reputation.
Seven judgments of earlier considered cases were rendered. 6 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:
- 7 charges with libel and slander (including one charge upon passed data);
- 33 claims and suits on protection of honour, dignity and business reputation (3 of them are – passed data) in the amount of KZT one hundred and thirty two millions and nine hundred and thousands.
