Last week the European Parliament adopted their resolution on Kazakhstan which condemns the authorities of the country.
Tatjana Zhanoka, our MEP, took a stance against it. She reasoned her refusal to support the resolution in her statement at the plenary meeting:
“It will take a lot of time and efforts investigate deeply the January 2022 events in Kazakhstan.
But our Parliament, nevertheless, has once more assumed the role of judge.
Just several questions in connection to proposed Resolution.
When urging Kazakhstani authorities “to refrain from applying charges of “terrorism” too broadly” is our Parliament not applying too broadly such definitions as “activists” and “religious organisations”?
Do we ”properly distinguish” ourselves between ”peaceful protesters” and those who ”used violence and committed crimes”?
Why when saying that a number of “international journalists and offices came under attack by the state forces” we turn a blind eye to the facts of burning down of the buildings of major Kazakh TV channels and international channel “Mir” by armed groups of well-trained men?
Are we not selective when mentioning the names of several political prisoners but forgetting others, no less famous?
As a member of the Central Asia region PCC and former vice-chair of it, I’m for respectful dialogue with Kazakhstan avoiding double standards.”
