Kazakhstan

The European Parliament’s Central Asia Delegation has written to the President of Kazakhstan, H.E. Nursultan Nazarbayev, to congratulate him on the progress that Kazakhstan continues to make “towards adopting the fundamental values of a modern democratic state” (19th February 2004).

In a letter drafted by John Bowis, the Delegation welcomes the independent Ombudsman for Kazakhstan who met with MEPs to explain “the way the role of the Ombudsman was developing for the benefit of citizens of the country”.

The decision by the Republic of Kazakhstan to announce a moratorium on capital punishment was welcomed in the letter and the hope expressed that this will lead to the death penalty’s abolition by the Kazakh Parliament.

The release of journalist Sergei Duvanov was also welcomed with the comment: “we are particularly pleased that his release is not subject to any conditions which might prevent him returning to his job as a journalist.”

The letter said “Kazakhstan has of course many challenges to face on its road to economic progress and democracy and we shall be watching with great interest the preparation for and conduct of your parliamentary elections which, like our own, will come later this year.”