Bakhytzhan Toregozhina

Bakhytzhan Toregozhina (Kazakh: Бақытжан Төреғожина; born 23 March 1962) is a Kazakhstani human rights activist who campaigned against the violations of fundamental rights in Kazakhstan for over two decades.[1] She has been the head of a coalition of civil societies, Qantar 2022, and the president of another Public Foundation, Ar.Rukh.Khak which represents Dignity, Spirit, and Truth.[2][3][4] She also organized various youth movements. Toregozhina was acclaimed as a leading voice representing victims of torture, abuse, and politicized repression.[5] On 8 March 2023, she received the 2023 International Women of Courage Award, which was presented to her and other nominees by Jill Biden and Anthony J. Blinken at the U.S. Department of State.[6]

Bakhytzhan Toregozhina
Бақытжан Төреғожина
Toregozhina during her VOA interview on her International Women of Courage Award
Born (1962-03-23) 23 March 1962
NationalityKazakhstani
OccupationHuman rights activist
Years active1999–present
AwardsInternational Women of Courage Award

Early life

Bakhytzhan Toregozhina was born on 23 March 1962 and is a Kazakhstan national.[7][8]

Career

Toregozhina is a human rights activist on the rule of law and worked to assist victims, document human rights violations, and defend people persecuted for expressing their rights.[1] She began promoting the development of NGOs in 1999 and in the following years, she worked on fundraising activities for a network of human rights organizations and peaceful assemblies. She has been a member of councils that oversee the status of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience. Alyan Tirek was reported as another effort that she worked on which provided humanitarian and legal assistance to prisoners. In 2017, she gave a press conference on Iskander Erimbetov's torture in custody.[9][10][11] For nearly 25 years, she has been a voice against torture and campaigned for the release of political prisoners.[1]

Human rights organizations and activism

Toregozhina founded or co-founded various human rights organizations. She has been serving as the head of the Qantar 2022, and another Public Foundation known as Ar. Rukh. Khak.[12][13] In 2004, she initiated Kahar,[14] a popular youth movement that served as an inspiration for the formation of other youth groups. In 2005, she organized NGOs to monitor parliamentary elections. Toregozhina also mobilized students and youth through summer schools of democracy and served as a liaison for the implementation of jury laws and related topics in higher education institutions. In 2012, she co-founded Sailau, a coalition of NGOs that monitored elections. She also participated in the drafting of alternative laws on elections.[10]

In 2020, Toregozhina raised concerns about Kazakhstan's repressive system against activists during COVID-19 global pandemic. The restrictions were on freedom of speech, access to information, compliance with and exercise of human rights including treatment of people, supply of medications, and restriction on the rights of peaceful assemblies behind the scene.[15]

Mass arrest of protestors prompted the 5 January 2022 unrest in major cities across Kazakhstan.[16] Toregozhina described the situation as a political puzzle and as a populist measure taken to score political points ahead of the election. On 1 September 2022, President Tokayev announced an amnesty for the protesters but this raised controversies about whether the amnesty protects most peaceful demonstrators, human rights defenders, and civil activists from “extremist” charges, and its limitation to acquit those convicted.[3]

Detentions and raid

2005 police raid

Police entered a youth group office with parents compliant against Toregozhina for allegedly recruiting children for political activity, and for rewarding the youth with money from abroad. Human Rights Watch reported that large numbers of police broke up a peaceful demonstration (involving releasing balloons) sponsored by Kahar on April 12 and its concern on governments' measure to discourage youth activism.[17][18]

2010 detention

On 16 March 2010, police entered Toregozhina's office, arrested and convicted her for organizing an “art-mob” event during civil disobedience Commemoration day which she presented a legal case against the government for the violations of her constitutional rights.[7][8]

2016 detention

At least 33 people, including Toregozhina, were detained between 16 and 20 May 2016, due to reported violations related to Facebook posts on a demonstration and land issues.[19]

2022 persecution

Toregozhina was listed as one of the human rights defenders who are subjected to political persecution related to the January 2022 unrest.[20]

Pegasus censorship

OCCRP reported that Toregozhina was among the Pegasus targeted politicians, journalists, and human rights activists for wiretapping or surveillance. Pegasus was developed by the Israeli company, NSO Group and used to spy on various politically active groups.[21][22][23]

Awards

Toregozhina received the 2023 International Women of Courage Award which recognized those who demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership. Her contributions were applauded as vital human rights defenders' role in holding governments accountable and encouraging respect for basic rights and freedoms. The ceremony was hosted by the U.S. Department of State.[24][1]

See also

References
  1. "2023 International Women of Courage Award". U.S. Department of State. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  2. "International Women's Day". U.S. Department of State. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
  3. "Kazakh Opposition Organizing Against Snap Elections". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  4. "GCIV Member's Only Reception with an International Women of Courage Awardee". Global Atlanta. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  5. "Bakhytzhan Toregozhina Testimony". Front Line Defenders. 17 April 2016. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  6. AP, Manuel Balce Ceneta-staff. "Jill Biden Women". The Herald Journal. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  7. "Communication No 2137/2012: Views adopted by the Committee at its 112th session (7-31 October 2014)". United Nations Human Rights Treaty Bodies. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  8. "Human Rights Committee Communication No 2137/2012". Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  9. "Kazakhstan: Businessman Alleges Torture". Human Rights Watch. 15 February 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  10. "StackPath" (PDF). www.gherson.com. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  11. "U.S. Lawyer To Defend Jailed Kazakh Businessman 'Tortured' In Custody". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 25 January 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  12. "REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN EARLY PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION" (PDF). Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. 26 April 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  13. "Bakhytzhan Toregozhina". Front Line Defenders. 15 November 2015. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  14. "Parliamentary Assembly" (PDF). Council of Europe. 20 March 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  15. "Pandemic and Human Rights: Only Repressive System is Functioning in Kazakhstan". Cabar School. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  16. "Kazakh police raided hospitals to round up victims of protest crackdown - report". The Independent. 21 January 2022. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  17. "Police In Kazakhstan Raid Youth Group Office". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. 8 April 2008. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  18. "Kazakhstan: New Restrictions Put Election at Risk". Human Rights Watch. 11 October 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  19. "Kazakhstan: Think before you post: Closing down social media space in Kazakhstan". Amnesty International. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  20. Melnychenko, Natalia (20 October 2022). "KAZAKHSTAN: The List of Political Prisoners and Other Victims of Political Persecutions". Open Dialogue Foundation. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  21. "Bakhytzhan Toregozhina". Justice for Journalists. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  22. "Kazakhstan Uses Spyware Against Its Own Citizens". www.occrp.org. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  23. "Tokayev, Mamin and Sagintayev became objects of spyware surveillance". kaztag.kz. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  24. "11 women, girls and women protesting Iranian morality police, honored at IWOC Awards". ABC27. 8 March 2023. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
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