Erzhan Elshibayev (born 1988) is a labor rights activist from Kazakhstan.[1] In March, 2019, Elshibayev was arrested for allegedly starting a fight. He was later sentenced to five years in prison.[1]
Activism
editElshibayev is from the western city of Zhanaozen where he organized several rallies for unemployed individuals to petition authorities to address high unemployment levels, improve social security benefits, and implement democratic reforms.[2] Local authorities attempted to end Elshibayev's activism by harassing him and eventually offering him a job if he ended the protests.[3]
Throughout 2018 and into early 2019, Elshibayev continued organizing protests.In early 2019, he investigated by the police on charges of stealing a car and on charges of rape. Both charges were revealed to be unfounded and dropped.[1]
Arrest and Sentence
editElshibayev's most recent arrest occurred on March 24, 2019. He was initially charged with "intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm from hooligan motives" and "hooliganism'".[4] While in pre-trial detention, authorities pressured Elshibayev to decline speaking with media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.[1]
Elshibayev was sentenced to five years in prison, after a trial that violated his due process rights. For example, he was prohibited from attending his own trial and was unable to hear or see a significant portion of the proceedings online due to poor internet connection.[5]
While in prison, Elshibayev has suffered beatings and other forms of mistreatment.[6] In June 2021, Elshibayev committed two acts of self-harm to protest his detention conditions.[7]
In September 2022, he was sentenced to an additional seven years in prison.[8]
International Response
editMembers of the European Parliament have repeatedly raised Elshibayev's case through written questions.[9][10]
The human rights organization Freedom Now filed a petition with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention on behalf of Elshibayev. In May 2021, the Working Group declared his detention to be in violation of international human rights law, and "requests the Government of Kazakhstan to take the steps necessary to remedy the situation of Mr. Elshibayev without delay and bring it into conformity with the relevant international norms."[1]
Elshibayev remains in prison.[11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Тойкен, Сания (26 March 2019). "Суд в Жанаозене выдал санкцию на арест активиста Ержана Елшибаева". Радио Азаттык (in Russian). Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "List of Kazakhstani political prisoners and other politically prosecuted persons (updated)". Open Dialogue Foundation. 2019-11-04. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "Один за всех". КМБПЧ - Казахстанское международное бюро по правам человека и соблюдению законности. 2019-10-23. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "Kazakh Activist In Restive Town Arrested". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 26 March 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "From the court of E. Elshibayev". tirek.info. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "A Zhanaozen activist was reportedly beaten in prison". bureau.kz. 13 March 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "Jailed Political Activist In Kazakhstan Maims Himself After Parole Denied". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 16 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-21.
- ^ Sarsenbai, Erqanat (30 September 2022). "Jailed Political Activist In Kazakhstan Gets Additional Seven Years In Prison". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 7 October 2022.
- ^ "New arbitrary prison sentences for trade unionists in Kazakhstan". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "Unjust incarceration of Yerzhan Yelshibayev in Kazakhstan". www.europarl.europa.eu. Retrieved 2021-07-22.
- ^ "Retreating Rights – Kazakhstan: Introduction". The Foreign Policy Centre. 22 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.