Akimat of Astana did not allow a rally against the draft media law

Recently the interdepartmental commission approved and sent to the parliament a draft law "On the Mass Media". Itincluded many points that members of the working group opposed to. Journalists and human rights activists announced that at press conferences, sent a call to the President and applied for a rally.

The akimat (mayor’s office) of Astana did not issue permission for the rally.

“The Department of Internal Policy of Astana had already agreed on peaceful assemblies  requests at the same specialized place and time as those indicated in your request. In this regard, we inform you that your request cannot be the satisfied,” the refusal reads .

Though the akimat reminded of the responsibility for violating the established procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies. It suggested applying to a higher body or court in case of disagreement with the refusal.

It should be mentioned that information about places and dates of future peaceful assemblies is not published by any akimat.