Attacks on Journalists Must Not Go Unpunished. Statement by the International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech "Adil Soz"

The International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech"Adil Soz" expresses deep concern over the attack on Talgat Umarov, a journalist with the online publication Umarovnews.kz, which occurred on 20 November 2024 in the West Kazakhstan Regional Court building.

The journalist was covering a court case involving the kidnapping of a young man. After the court ruling was announced, Zhankabyl Satpayev, the father of one of the convicted individuals, struck Umarov on the head. According to the journalist, his actions in no way provoked such behaviour. Umarov has filed a police report demanding that the perpetrator be held accountable.

We remind all parties that under paragraph 18, Article 1 of the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Mass Media”, journalists are granted a special status that ensures the protection of their rights and freedoms, as well as enhanced rights while performing professional duties. An attack on a journalist during the course of their professional activities violates this status and must be thoroughly investigated.

Adil Soz calls on law enforcement agencies to conduct an impartial investigation and bring the perpetrator to justice to the fullest extent of the law. The impunity of such attacks on media workers is unacceptable; it fosters a culture of permissiveness and increases the risk of similar incidents in the future.

Adil Soz will closely monitor the situation and is prepared to provide the affected journalist with the necessary legal support.

The protection of freedom of speech in any country is inherently linked to the safeguarding of individual journalists.