Update: Civil Activist Released from Psychiatric Facility

Ardak Ashym, a 52-year-old blogger and civil activist from Shymkent, south Kazakhstan, has been released from the psychiatric facility where she had been detained since 31 March. The criminal investigation against her for comments on social media is still ongoing.

Ardak Ashym, a 52-year-old blogger and civil activist from Shymkent, south Kazakhstan, has been released from the psychiatric facility where she had been detained since 31 March. The criminal investigation against her for comments on social media is still ongoing. 1) TAKE ACTION Write a letter, send an email, call, fax or tweet:

• Calling on the authorities to terminate the criminal proceedings against Ardak Ashym and any others who have been accused under anti-extremism legislation solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights;
• Urging them to initiate changes to the overly-broad provisions in anti-extremism legislation to ensure it cannot be misused to target political opponents and stifle dissent, and reminding them that they have an obligation to respect and protect the right to freedom of expression.

Contact these two officials by 7 June, 2018:

Prosecutor General Kairat Kozhamzharov 14 Orynbor Street Astana, 010000 Republic of Kazakhstan Fax: +7 7172 506 402 Salutation: Dear Prosecutor General

Ambassador Erzhan Kazykhanov, Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan 1401 16th St NW, Washington DC 20036 Phone: 1 202 232 5488 Email: [email protected] -OR- [email protected] Salutation: Dear Ambassador

2) LET US KNOW YOU TOOK ACTION Click here to let us know if you took action on this case! This is Urgent Action 82.18 Here’s why it is so important to report your actions: we record the actions taken on each case—letters, emails, calls and tweets—and use that information in our advocacy. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES READ THE FULL URGENT ACTION: Word or PDF GET INSPIRED: Read about the people you have helped READ TIPS for writing effective letters and emails CONTACT US: [email protected]