Kazakhstan: Renew Europe calls for a peaceful solution to the crisis

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament is extremely worried about the situation in Kazakhstan following the deadly clashes between protesters and security forces and calls on all actors involved to refrain from actions that could lead to further escalation of violence.

Renew Europe believes that dialogue must be the only way to solve this crisis peacefully, with the respect of fundamental rights and freedoms.

Renew Europe MEP, Klemen Grošelj (Lista Marjana Šarca, Slovenia), EP standing rapporteur on Kazakhstan, said:

"We call on the Kazakh authorities to respect the right to peaceful protest and we encourage all parties concerned to act with responsibility and ensure a swift return to order. Kazakhstan is an important partner of the EU and should uphold its international commitments to guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens, including freedom of assembly and freedom of expression. We are closely following developments in Kazakhstan and we expect that protests remain non-violent and avoid any incitement to violence."

Renew Europe MEP, Róża Thun und Hohenstein (Polska 2050, Poland), member of the EP Delegation for relations with Central Asian countries, added:

"I have been urging for a long time for personal sanctions against certain leaders of the regime in Kazakhstan. EU signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, but EEAS did not consistently require neither respect of basic human rights, release of political prisoners, stopping tortures in prisons, nor introduction of democratic practices, social dialogue etc. Now we must do our utmost to stop the bloodshed in this country and protect those who struggle there for freedom and democracy."

ENDS