International Organizations Urge Kazakhstan Government to Release the 19 Indicted Human Rights Activists
I. Joint Statement
Calling on the Authorities of Kazakhstan to Immediately Release the 19 Members of Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights
We, the undersigned human rights organizations, civil society groups, and leaders of organizations long engaged in the protection of human rights, have been closely monitoring the work of Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights and the judicial situation faced by its members.
For many years, Atajurt has made invaluable contributions to documenting and exposing large-scale human rights violations committed since 2017 in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China. The organization has helped the international community understand the realities of arbitrary detention, internment in camps, illegal trials, and systematic persecution suffered by Kazakhs, Uyghurs, Kyrgyz, and other ethnic minorities. Its work is of significant human rights value and serves the public interest.
Following the criminal prosecution and detention of 19 members of Atajurt by the authorities of Kazakhstan under Article 174 of the Criminal Code and related provisions, we conducted an independent factual and legal assessment of the case and unanimously reached the following conclusions:
1. The alleged speech and conduct constitute peaceful protest and political expression
The speech and actions at issue were clearly directed at the Chinese government and its policies in Xinjiang, as well as related state policies, and constitute criticism and protest against government conduct. They were not directed at any ethnic group or people.
2. There is no legal basis for allegations of incitement to ethnic hatred or insult to ethnic dignity
Criticism of a government, ruling party, state leaders, or state policies does not, as a matter of law, amount to hatred toward an ethnic or national group. Characterizing political criticism and human rights advocacy as “incitement to ethnic hatred” lacks both factual and legal basis.
3. Criminal charges against individuals who made no statements violate fundamental principles of criminal law
Among the 19 defendants, several made no statements at all and merely expressed “support” or remained silent. Such conduct does not constitute any active criminal act and lacks the objective elements required for criminal liability.
4. The application of Article 174 of the Criminal Code in this case constitutes an excessive and improper restriction on freedom of expression
UN Special Rapporteurs and international human rights mechanisms have long expressed serious concern over the vagueness of Article 174 and its potential for abuse. This case once again demonstrates that the provision is being used to suppress civil society and human rights defenders.
Based on the above facts and assessment, we conclude that:
The 19 members of Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights were peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of expression, protest, and human rights advocacy. Their prosecution and detention violate Kazakhstan’s constitutional principles and its international human rights obligations.
We therefore urgently call on the authorities of Kazakhstan to:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release the 19 members of Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights;
2. Drop all criminal charges related to their peaceful speech and protest activities;
3. Cease the abuse of Article 174 of the Criminal Code to suppress human rights defenders and civil society;
4. Effectively guarantee freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Human rights defenders should not be criminalized, and peaceful expression should not be treated as a crime.
We will continue to monitor this case closely and call on the international community to maintain close oversight of how the authorities of Kazakhstan handle this matter.
Signatory Organizations and Individuals (ongoing updates):
China Aid: Rev./Dr. Bob Fu
Atajurt Kazakh Human Rights: Serikzhan Bilash
Dialogue China: Dr. Dan Wang
Victims of Communism Foundation
Family Research Council
Uyghur Human Rights Project
Alliance for Citizens’ Rights: Sophie Luo Shengchun
Overseas Chinese Human Rights Lawyer Alliance: Shaoping Wu, Shilong Xu
Democracy China Media: Dr. Jiajun Qiu
Shining Light Media: Anna Wang
China Action
New Highland Vision
Civil Resistance Association
Foundation LRC: Mr. Wen Du
Issued on January 21, 2026