From the very beginning of spring this year, a catastrophic tragedy has been unfolding in Kazakhstan – whole villages and cities are being devastated by floods. Tens of thousands of houses have been literally submerged […]
It is two years since a countrywide mass uprising in Kazakhstan was brutally crushed by the intervention of Russian-led troops called in by the country’s President, Tokaev. Socialistworld carried reports, including eye-witness accounts, from activists […]
The recent death of 46 miners in the Kostenko mine is the largest loss of life in the history of Kazakhstan’s mining industry (for more background information: Forty six workers killed in explosion at Kostenko […]
ArcelorMittal, the largest steel producer in Kazakhstan, and one of the largest in the world, has, once again, found itself in the spotlight – not because of its prosperity, but due to a tragedy that […]
The year 2022 started with big hopes for future changes not only in Kazakhstan but for the entire world. At the very beginning of January, the protest mood of the population took an almost revolutionary […]
Kazakhstan’s president, Kassym-Jomart Tokaev, has brought forward the holding of the presidential election due in December 2024 to November 20th this year and extended the length of the term of office to seven years. This […]
The mass revolt in Kazakhstan at the beginning of this year is unprecedented in this vast Central Asian country. But the explosion of anger did not come out of a clear blue sky. In recent […]
In the following eyewitness report, Igor Ushakov, who serves on the Almaty editorial board of the left-wing online magazine, ‘Krasnaya Yurt’, explains the events on 4-5 January in the Kazakhstan city of Almaty, where a […]
One week after an unprecedented struggle by the country’s oppressed exploded onto the streets of Kazakhstan, an uneasy quiet has fallen in the commercial capital Almaty, where Kazakh state forces, backed by Russian paratroops, enforce […]
Below are letters of protest (in German and English) sent to the Embassy of Kazakhstan and Embassy of the Russian Federation, in Berlin, from socialist activists in Germany. socialistworld.net An die Botschaft Kasachstans – per […]
Campaign Kazakhstan was set up in Britain and Europe to support the workers’ movement in Kazakhstan and oppose the repressive measures of the Nazarbayev regime. Mick Whale, Secretary of the campaign, visited Kazakhstan on two […]
There are protests in solidarity with the Kazakhstan movement taking place in several countries. We will be publishing details of these protests and will carry further details and analysis about the situation in Kazakhstan. Below […]
Kazakhstan has been disconnected from the internet. Activists across the country are generally unable to communicate. All cities and towns are being cut off from information. Occasionally connections are re-established. Demonstrations are taking place across […]
An explosion of anger has spread across Kazakhstan in the first days of January 2022. The spark was a doubling of the price of Liquefied Petroleum Gas – the most common fuel used in the […]
On July 6, a rally was organised in Almaty by the Kazakhstan Democratic Party (DP) under the slogan, “Against price increases and the participation of Chinese capital in the Kazakh economy”. The DP is an […]
The Committee for a Workers’ International has received from a group of left activists in Kazakhstan known as ‘Red Yurt’ the following account of a vicious attack on a demonstration in Almaty and an appeal […]
On 16 August this year, after a term of six and a half years in Kazakhstan’s nightmare penal system, human rights lawyer, Vadim Kuramshin, walked free. His first words to the Committee for a Workers’ […]
Several developments have taken place in Kazakhstan over the last few months. In the political sphere, relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have become strained.
The new trade union, Amanat, has started active work in defence of workers’ rights in Kazakhstan. Up to today, a number of trade union organisations have taken the decision to leave the ranks of the […]
Tensions in Kazakhstan were mounting in the run-up to Kazakhstan’s ‘Independence Day’ this year. It was the sixth anniversary of the massacre of striking oil-workers in Zhanaozen and thousands of miners in Karaganda were on […]
A dramatic strike struggle has broken out in the Karaganda coal mines of Kazakhstan which now come under ‘Arcellor Mittal Temirtau’. Within the first few hours of their strike action, the miners were offered 20% rises […]
3 May is designated ‘International Day of Freedom of the Press’. It will come as no surprise that Kazakhstan comes very near the bottom of the world’s press freedom league – 157th out of 180. The […]
Right to organise denied by regime
Citizens forced to register with police at all times
Letters to embassies worldwide demanding end to dictatorshi
No to land privatisation – Release Max Bokayev and Talgat Ayanov!
West seeks “stability” under brutal dictatorship
Soldarity actions take place internationally against Nazarbayev regime
Nazarbayev regime faces mounting opposition
‘Illegal’ protests planned for Saturday 21 May
Phoney elections have not brought stability
Basic rights must be respected
Book launch in London remembers the dead and injured and all political prisoners in Kazakhstan.
Letter from Campaign Kazakhstan secretary
Copper giant denies suffering of its workers and victimisation of their representatives
Workers need to build mass opposition
Struggle to free political prisoners continues
Workers pay the price for crony capitalism
Joe HIggins, Socialist Party (CWI) TD raises Vadim’s case in Irish parliament
Urgent solidarity needed
Esenbek Ukteshbayev, arrested as part of last weeks housing protests, is being held in solitary confinement and denied access to even a lawyer. In response, he has gone on hunger strike
Police reinforcements called in against new protests
Vadim Kuramshim’s courageous campaigning recognised by lawyers’ prestigious award
But fails to explain widespread conspiracy of silence
Campaign Kazakhstan British Secretary, Mick Whale, condemns David Cameron’s visit to build links with Kazakh dictator
Workers demand nationalisation of KazakhMys metal foundry
MEP demands immediate release of Housing Campaigners – solidarity still needed
Protests needed via embassies
Paul Murphy speaks out as European Parliament debates Human Rights
Appeal against 12-year prison sentence
Protest to embassies and KazakhMys bosses
Attacks continue against his legal team – Urgent protests needed!
Justice for oil workers and their families!
Protest against despotic regime’s crack-down!
All pretense of a fair trial dropped – Protest Now!
For a second time this year, Irish GUE/NGL MEP Paul Murphy has been denied a visa to travel to Kazakhstan, where he was meant to head a delegation of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left […]
Travesty of justice as Appeal Court revokes earlier court decision to release Vadim
Vienna protests publicised in Kazakhstan
Great event in London on 2 October raises the demand for freedom for Aron Atabek and imprisoned Zhanaozen strikers
Banner unfurled during Kazakhstan vs Sweden qualifying match
Result of massive international campaign of solidarity
Great victory for the international solidarity campaign
Prosecutor demands vindictive sentence at end of farcical trial
Re-affirms need for maximum support world-wide
Human rights lawyer still fighting uphill battle
The human rights lawyer, Vadim Kuramshin, today stopped his hunger strike protest
International protests to Kazak authorities urgently needed!
2,000 Burgylai company workers cease work for two hours
Urgent appeal for prisoner rights campaigner
Conditions for mass revolt maturing
In memory of Takhir Narimanovich Mukhamedzyanov
Strikers punished for state’s murderous attack on peaceful gathering of oil workers and families!
Sign the e-petition now!
End this farcical trial of the human rights’ lawyer and drop all charges!
Leader of the “Leave Peoples’ Homes Alone” campaign and member of the SMK, Larissa Boyar, and others have been released from prison
Campaign Kazakhstan reports that newspapers in Kazakhstan said a strike by miners at KazakhMys ended on 7 May with a complete victory for the workers.
Solidarity needed to free Vadim!
Immediate protests and financial help needed
Court hears new allegations of police planning for Zhanaozen massacre
Prison rights campaigner faces 7-15 years in jail
"Shout out the story as loud as you can"
Paul Murphy MEP denied visa to Kazakhstan – Nazarbayev regime scared of truth getting out about December 16 massacre of oil workers and their sympathisers.
Police detain Arman Ozhaubaev and claim his location ‘unknown’
Campaign Kazakhstan: "Stop the frame-up of the Zhanaozen strikers!"
Successful demonstrations across Kazakhstan – now protest against fines and arrests of activists!
“Nazarbayev – blood on your hands!”
But condemnation tempered by trade interests
But fails to condemn Nazarbayev regime
Regime under pressure from international campaign
Kurmanov and Ukteshbayev speak out
Immediate support given by Bob Crow, rail-workers’ leader in Britain, Paul Murphy, MEP, from Ireland, Swedish trade union journalist and Australian Councillor, Steve Jolly
Urgent protests needed!
A big protest rally in freezing temperatures greeted the Kazakhstan president as he attended a meeting to strengthen relations with the German government and big business.
Urgent solidarity needed
Worldwide solidarity campaign means the Kazakhstan regime can no longer deny 16 December massacre
Release Vadim Kuramshin and all those arrested – End harassment of opposition activists!
16 December underlined the need for the workers’ movement to link economic demands to the struggle to bring down the regime
Nazarbayev regime cancels elections in city
"A victory for workers anywhere is a victory for the workers everywhere!"
Russian press describe torture of detained oil workers & police reign of terror
New video shows riot police shooting unarmed protesters in Zhanaozen
More international solidarity and support
Campaign Kazakhstan demonstrates in Berlin and Cologne
18/12 22:05 LATEST UPDATE – WORKERS BEING TORTURED!
"European union must break off talks with Kazakhstan!"
UPDATE @ 22:30 GMT – Only united and extensive workers’ action can end this dictatorial regime
LATEST UPDATE 17:54 GMT Breaking News: Peaceful protesters & supporters of striking oil workers fired upon
Campaign Kazakhstan press statement and demands
Wave of protests to Almaty prison authorities
Socialist Movement of Kazakhstan demands enquiry.
Protest this travesty of justice – Demand Georgii Epshtein’s immediate release!
Urgent support needed
Ten thousand signatures collected on oil-workers’ petition
Firm action needed to win all workers’ demands
Hundreds sign protest condemning Nazarbayev dictatorship and demanding democratic rights
Condemn brutal attack on media freedom, Solidarity needed!
Paul Murphy speaks in European Parliament against repression in Kazakhstan
The Moscow News reports on heroic workers struggle
“I, Clare Daly, member of the Irish Parliament strongly condemn threats by the Kazakhstan authorities…” Socialist Party TDs add voices to international outcry
Police threats to arrest and jail Socialist Movement Kazakhstan leaders – urgent protest action needed!
Police interrogate Ainur Kurmanov and Esenbek Ukteshbayev for a total of 16 hours
Bring the campaign to trade unions and the Left!
“What is Telia doing in Kazakhstan?”
A solidarity picket in defense of oppressed oil workers in Kazakhstan was held near the Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the headquarters of the firm ’Oil and Gas Exploration’, in Krakow on August […]
“I really hope more trade union organizations give support”
Prisoners’ campaigner, Vadim Kuramshin, arrested twice in 3 days
Hundreds sacked and union lawyer sentenced to six years in jail. Intransigent employer refuses negotiations. Now a striker murdered!
Working class beginning to lose fear
Workers faced with jail and brutal repression – Solidarity urgently needed!Reprint of article from SIPTU union newsletter
“Hunger strikes, imprisoned workers and tens of thousands on strike represents a virtual picket line which I have no intention of crossing,” Sting said in an online statement.
Stop repression of striking oil and gas workers!
Strikes of oil and gas workers continue; other workers follow lead
16th June – Day of Solidarity!
Strikes spread – solidarity action needs to be stepped up
But strikers’ lawyer Natalia Sokolova remains under arrest
Hundreds detained and beaten – Natalia Sokolova still missing – Urgent solidarity needed
Lawyer arrested, new address for solidarity messages needed
What started as a hunger strike by a relatively small number of oil workers in the town of Karazhanbasa in West Kazakhstan last week has now turned into a mass strike – now over fifteen […]
But resistance grows – oil workers strike
‘Kazakhstan 2012’ becomes ‘Socialist Movement Kazakhstan’
Ainur Kurmanov hospitalized.
Opposition activist released after international protest campaign
Lively pickets in Berlin and Stockholm
Picket in Central Almaty in support of Esenbek Ukteshbayev
Opposition activist Esenbeck Ukteshbayev jailed – Call for protest pickets on 28 March
Step up protests over arrests and fines
Many arrested, seven, including Esenbek Ukteshbaev, get 15 days imprisonment
Opposition protest movements call for boycott of dictator’s fake poll
Parliament rubberstamps ‘referendum’ to postpone election until 2020
A thousand protests made worldwide against jailing of trade union and social activist
“For nearly a decade, economic collapse, worse in many countries than the depression of the thirties, with its associated crime waves, corruption and social degeneration devastated the region.”
‘Appeal’ hearing a travesty of justice
Moscow News reports on protests during Nazarbayev visit to Brussels
Kazakh Socialist and human rights activist, Ainur Kurmanov, addresses the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights about the dictatorship in Kazakhstan and human rights abuses there.
Ainur Kurmanov slams regime’s record in Human Rights Committee of Euro-Parliament
“it’s one for all and all for one”
Demands Joe Higgins MEP
The newspaper’s website reports the brutal situation facing prisoners in Kazakhstan and the recent visit by Joe Higgins, MEP, Socialist Party (CWI Ireland).
Desperate inmates facing brutal beatings self-mutilate and hunger strike
Media reports of Joe Higgins’ recent visit to Kazakhstan, where he called for the scrapping of an OSCE conference in the authoritarian-run country
On 8th September Joe Higgins, MEP Socialist Party (CWI Ireland) and Tanja Niemeier, LSP – PSL (CWI Belgium), spoke at a press conference of the GUE/NGL on breaches of human rights in Kazakh Prisons.
Send solidarity messages!
Solidarity message from Joe Higgins, Socialist Party (CWI Ireland) MEP
Police hold human rights defender, Vadim Kuramshin, for 10 days to prevent him meeting Joe Higgins MEP
Brutal Nazerbayev regime presides over ticking social time-bomb
Arrest of human rights lawyer and campaigner backfires on authorities
Lawyer attacked and arrested in run-up to Euro MP’s visit
Workers’ leaders will not be cowed by persecution
OSCE Chair presides over torture of prisoners – Protests needed urgently!
Message from Ainur Kurmanov on his release from jail
International campaign continues!
This morning, Wednesday 5 May, the court in Almaty sentenced Esen Ukteshbaev to five days imprisonment simply for being at a peaceful May Day demonstration last week-end. URGENT ACTION NEEDED.
It is clear that a wave of arrests and repression against left and social movement activists in Kazakhstan is gathering pace.
Free Ainur Kurmanov and drop all charges against leaders of workers’ movement
Socialist activist starts hunger strike – Step up protests!
Joe Higgins MEP protests over jailing of socialist activist Ainur Kurmanov
Government of “people’s confidence” declares it has taken power
Historic ‘Kazakhstan 2012 conference’ in opposition to Nazabayev regime
CWI presence and local support lessens judge’s sentence
Ten thousand oil refinery workers have been striking since 4 March 2010 in west Kazakhstan. They are facing increasing repression from the state and black out from the media. Joe Higgins sent the following message […]
The following appeal was sent from Socialist Resistance Kazakhstan (CWI) activists. This vital strike of ten thousand oil refinery workers is facing a news blockade in Kazakhstan and also court rulings against the workers’ right […]
Urgent protests needed!
Socialist Resistance Kazakhstan (CWI) leader, Ainur Kurmanov addresses Warsaw meeting on OSCE
Attempt to silence tireless fighter for workers and poor will not succeed!
A message of solidarity & thanks to international supporters
Urgent solidarity action needed
Leader of Socialist Resistance Kazakhstan, Ainur Kurmanov, again under threat!
Struggle for nationalisation of coach factory continues
“The government privatised us, now let them nationalise us. We are going to the end!”
Solidarity action at 10 oil fields – Messages of support needed!
Leave people their homes!
CWI member assaulted by police and arrested
Protests urgently needed!
Judge rejects state prosecutor’s demands
Send protests against state repression!
Urgent international support needed!
Corporation connives with local authorities in forcible evictions
Residents resist brutal police repression
Mass resistance stops homes demolition
Alma-Ata authorities feel pressure of worldwide protests
Police and bulldozers repelled by shanty town residents
Activists arrested – Solidarity needed urgently!
Interview with Bishkek strike leaders
Workers and youth discuss alternative to Nazabayev regime
“I’m tired of this life. I just want to live quietly and well” was the comment of one pensioner taking part in the protests in Bishkek, capital of Kyrgyzia (Kyrgyzstan) last week.
‘Tulip revolution’ declares government overthrown
Вот уже полтора года в заключении находятся лидер Рабочего Движения Казахстана «Солидарность» Сакен Жунусов и его сын член ЦК Молодой Гвардии Казахстана Рустем Жунусов.
The struggle to defend the jobs and living standards of the workers at the Irtyishskii Foundry in Glubokii, near Ust-Kamenogorsk, in East Kazakhstan, has been stepped up and workers are appealing for support.
A peaceful protest by several hundred women in Kentau City, southern Kazakhstan, fighting on social issues and against police repression, was brutally attacked and broken up by police, and many of the protesters were arrested. […]
In the Central Asia republics, national and local power as remained in the hands of the former party elite, and with the exception of Kyrgizia, the president is the former communist party [former ruling party] […]
Four activists from the Karaganda Confederation of Free Trade Unions in Kazakhstan are currently under arrest and are facing serious charges. This is a continuation of the type of repression doled out to worker activists […]
There has been a big stepping up of repression against the Workers Movement of Kazakhstan, a major working-class organisation. Criminal charges have been lodged against four members of its executive Saken and Ramil Dzhunosov, Ramil […]
A CONFERENCE of CWI members in Kazakhstan earlier this month was a great success. 20 comrades attended from Karaganda, Zhambul, Pavlodar, Uralsk and Almata. Visitors from Russia and from the CWI also attended.
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