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Persecuted in Kazakhstan
Draft First minutes: what human rights defenders usually advise
Persecuted in Kazakhstan
Draft. Compiled from human rights groups' guides but not yet reviewed by a lawyer. This is not legal advice — check the linked sources and consult a lawyer.
- Cases are most often brought for 'false information', 'inciting discord' and membership of a banned group ('Alga, Kazakhstan!'). Keep copies of your posts and do not delete them without legal advice.
- Journalists and bloggers: Adil Soz. Activists and human rights defenders: Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Front Line Defenders (emergency grants).
- Lawyers can lose their licence, as Gulnara Bazhkenova's defence counsel did. Use international mechanisms too: the UN Working Group found Marat Zhylanbayev's detention arbitrary.
- Since 30 Dec 2025 'LGBT propaganda' is banned (fines, up to 10 days' detention); since 2026 the foreign-funding register is wider. Secure your accounts — Access Now can help.
current as of September 25.
More: HRW: World Report 2026, Kazakhstan; IPHR: pressure on media and the 'LGBT propaganda' law
Who helps
5 organisations
Protects Russians in Kazakhstan from extradition and deportation and helps with asylum; also takes cases of Kazakh activists and journalists.
Helps people already in Kazakhstan; lawyer Artur Alkhastov advises Russians. Entering or transiting Kazakhstan is risky: since January 2026 the authorities have extradited and deported political refugees.
If Telegram doesn't open: Telegram channel @kibhr
Kazakhstan
link checked September 25
Free 24/7 help for activists and journalists: hacked accounts, surveillance, securing accounts and devices. Russian-language support available.
worldwide
Defends free speech in Kazakhstan: a lawyer and defence counsel for journalists and bloggers, violation monitoring, advice on what to do if threatened.
If Telegram doesn't open: +7 777 400 2210 · info@adilsoz.kz
Kazakhstan
Emergency support for human rights defenders at risk: protection grants, secure contact, publicity and advocacy after detention.
For people targeted for peaceful human rights work, including activists and journalists.
If Telegram doesn't open: protection grants
worldwide
The EU human rights defenders mechanism: emergency grants, temporary relocation, trial monitoring.
worldwide
Lawyers for political cases →