September 12, 2024 a crucial hearing was held by the Commission regarding the refugee status application of Karakalpak human rights defender Akylbek Muratbai (Muratov) in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The session lasted 20 minutes, after which officials said a decision would be made in the coming days.
Muratbai has been detained in a pre-trial detention center in Almaty since February 15, 2024, following an extradition request by Uzbek authorities. He is being persecuted for posting clips from a human rights conference organized by the OSCE (#WarsawHDC) on his YouTube channel and for organizing an online peaceful flash mob in memory of those killed during the suppression of protests in the Republic of Karakalpakstan.
Despite the significance of his case, Muratbai was denied the opportunity to attend the Commission hearing in person. He was also refused to participate even by video link on the pretext of poor internet quality.
Freedom of Eurasia urges the Kazakh authorities to carefully consider Muratba’s asylum request in accordance with the 1951 Refugee Convention, to which Kazakhstan is a party. Fair resolution of Akylbek Muratbai’s case is not only about one activist’s situation, it’s about Kazakhstan’s commitment to upholding international human rights obligations. Granting him refugee status is imperative to protect him from arbitrary detention and inhumane treatment he may face if extradited to Uzbekistan.
With the Commission’s decision expected in the next few days, there is an urgent need for international attention and support to ensure that Muratbai’s rights are upheld.
