UN rapporteur asks Astana to allow independent intl inquiry into Zhanaozen riots
ASTANA. Jan 29 (Interfax) - United Nations Rapporteur Maina Kiai has called on the Kazakh government to permit an independent international investigation into the December 16, 2011 events in the town of Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan's western Mangistau region.
"He also visited Zhanaozen, where clashes between police and protesters in 2011 led to the deaths of at least 14 people. Mr. Kiai noted that there was "conflicting information" about the event, and urged that the government to allow an independent international inquiry," the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said in a press release on Thursday.
"During his nine-day mission, which included visits to Almaty, Astana and Aktau, Mr. Kiai met State officials, members of the judiciary and of Parliament, members of civil society, and the diplomatic community," it said.
Fifteen people were killed and another 100 were injured in riots that broke out in the town of Zhanaozen and the village of Shetpe in the Mangistau region in December 2011.
In June 2012, a local court convicted 12 people of provoking the unrest and gave them sentences ranging from four to seven years in prison. Almost half of them were released as part of a recent amnesty campaign.
