Kazakhstan: Sentencing of 19 activists over peaceful Xinjiang protest a travesty of justice
Reacting to the conviction and sentences of 19 activists in Kazakhstan for participating in a peaceful protest against human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:
“The Kazakhstani authorities must immediately release the 19 activists as they are imprisoned solely for peacefully exercising their human rights. Authorities must quash their convictions and sentences. Criminalizing peaceful protest under the vague pretext of ‘inciting discord’ is a travesty of justice and an affront to international human rights standards.
“Amnesty International has received information indicating that several of those convicted and sentenced have serious health conditions. We call on the authorities to provide immediate access to appropriate medical care while they remain in detention.”
