Just in case: rights of journalists while covering rallies and protests

Art.20 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan says: “attend in disaster area, in rallies and demonstrations, as well as upon other forms of expression of public, group and personal interests and protest».

Art.158 of the Penal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan “Interfering with legal professional activity of journalist”

1. Interfering with legal professional activity of journalist by coercion him (her) to dissemination or refuse to dissemination of information, as well as by creating conditions, preventing to execution by the journalist of the legal professional activity or deprives him (her) of such opportunity, - 
      shall be punished by the fine in the amount of up to one hundred monthly calculation indices or correctional works in the same amount, or community services for the term of up to one hundred twenty hours, or arrest for the term of up to forty five days.
      2. The same action, committed by person with the use of his (her) official position, as well as with use of force or threat of its use in relation of journalist or his (her) relatives or with damaging or destruction of their property, - 
      shall be punished by the fine in the amount of up to two thousand monthly calculation indices or correctional works in the same amount, or restriction of liberty for the term of up to two years, or imprisonment for the same term, with deprivation of the right to occupy determined positions or to engage in a determined activity for the term of up to three years or without it.

Please note: carry  the media certificate or an official (letterheaded, sealed) editorial task to cover the event with you.

Bloggers and active users of social networks who are not  in labor relations with any officially registered media are at greater risk of being detained as participants (organizers) of unauthorized public events. Therefore, we recommend: try to get an editorial assignment or an ID of a journalist from your friendly editorial staff.

General advice: do not forget your ID! It would be useful to remind the words of the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan Marat Kozhaev, said at a briefing at the Central election committee of Kazakhstan on June 9:" Joournalists should care about having special vests or other recognition signs for us to know that there is a journalist in front of us"