Oil-rich Kazakhstan is the wealthiest and geographically the largest of the Central Asian States. It is the only country in the region, as well as the only Muslim majority country, to have held the Chairmanship of the OSCE. Although Kazakhstan has a vibrant civil society, there has been backward movement on human rights over the past years. Media and the Internet have been restricted, political opposition has been stifled, peaceful assemblies quashed, and freedom of religion limited through a series of new legislation ostensibly aimed at preventing extremism and terrorism.
In 2019, former President Nazarbayev stepped down unexpectedly, although he retains significant power through his lifetime role as Chairman of the Security Council. His successor, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, promised significant reforms which have so far not materialized. The OSCE established the Centre in Astana in 1998; the mandate has been revised to create the current Program Office in Nur Sultan. The OSCE has observed national elections in Kazakhstan since 1999, although none have been found to have been held in accordance with international standards.
The Helsinki Commission has followed developments in Kazakhstan closely since its independence in 1991, and particularly examining the human rights situation in the country in the run-up to the Kazakhstani Chairmanship of the OSCE in 2010.
Staff Contact: Janice Helwig, senior policy advisor
