BEIJING (AP) — A court in Kazakhstan has convicted 19 activists following their protest against Beijing's repression in China's Xinjiang region last year. This event is viewed as a significant action by the Kazakh government to curb criticism at the behest of China. The activists, all Kazakh nationals, demonstrated near the China-Kazakhstan border in November, burning Chinese flags and portraits of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, while demanding the release of a Kazakh citizen who was detained in Xinjiang.
Among the activists, eleven received prison sentences of five years for "inciting discord," while the remaining eight faced restrictions on their movement. Shinquat Baizhan, a lawyer for the activists, verified the sentencing, which was also confirmed by local media outlets. Although Kazakhs have historically faced pressure for voicing dissent against China's policies in Xinjiang, advocacy groups indicate that this marks the first instance where such a large group of activists has been imprisoned in Kazakhstan.
Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated, "This is unprecedented," emphasizing that it reveals Kazakhstan's willingness to sacrifice its citizens' freedoms to maintain favorable relations with Beijing. Since 2017, the Chinese government has conducted an aggressive crackdown in Xinjiang, reportedly imprisoning over a million Uyghurs, Kazakhs, and other predominantly Muslim ethnic minorities in prisons and internment camps. Many of those detained have since been released, but the region remains tightly controlled, with strict limitations on religious and cultural practices.
The issue of Xinjiang has been a controversial topic in Kazakhstan, which has a population of 20 million and relies heavily on China as a trading partner. After the protest, the Kazakh government initiated criminal investigations against the protesters, responding to a diplomatic note from the Chinese consulate in Almaty, the country’s largest city. Uluyol mentioned that the note described the protest as "an open provocation against the national dignity of the People's Republic of China and an insult to the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese people."
In a reiteration of Beijing's stance, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the sentencing an "internal affair," commending Kazakhstan as a "friendly neighbor" that understands China's policies regarding Xinjiang. The Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide any comments when approached.
The activists were affiliated with Atajurt, an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of Chinese-born Kazakhs facing repression in China. Xinjiang is home to over a million ethnic Kazakhs, thousands of whom have been detained, while many continue to endure travel restrictions. Consequently, Atajurt has faced persistent pressure from the Kazakh government, which is known for its authoritarian approach and minimal tolerance for dissent. The group's founder, Serikzhan Bilash, was arrested in 2019 but was eventually released into exile after agreeing not to engage in political activities.
Despite maintaining a level of tolerance for Atajurt's activities due to the significant public empathy in Kazakhstan towards Chinese-born Kazakhs, the country's stance seems to have shifted. This change parallels Kazakhstan's closer alignment with China and a decrease in tolerance for actions that oppose Beijing's policies. Bilash, who now resides in exile in the United States, has suggested that the recent arrests could have widespread repercussions. He emphasized that the group offers crucial support, including financial assistance to families of detainees, and documenting testimonies from those seeking missing loved ones.
Bilash noted, "The world will lose more than just a human rights organization; it will lose the biggest window into the humanitarian disaster in neighboring Xinjiang."
