The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan has refused accreditation and accreditation extension to 36 employees of Radio Azattyk — the Kazakh service of Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). On January 30, the representation of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty-Kazakhstan (RFE/RL-Kazakhstan) filed a lawsuit in the specialised inter-district administrative court of Astana demanding the recognition and cancellation of the decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan to refuse accreditation and its extension.
The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech «Adil Soz» hopes that the decision of the specialised inter-district administrative court of Astana will be balanced, reasonable, fair, and fully compliant with the requirements of legislation and international obligations undertaken by Kazakhstan.
Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty operates in 23 countries worldwide. In Kazakhstan. Radio Azattyk has been operating since 1993 and has long been an integral part of the country's media community. Preserving media diversity and pluralism of opinions in the country is an essential element of democracy and enables Kazakhstanis to access timely, diverse, and objective information.
