Kazakhstan: The international committee demands to observe the legitimacy in the case of Eugene Zhovtis
The group of influential human rights activists, journalists and representatives of international organization disseminated the letter, appealing to the government of Kazakhstan to objectively investigate tragic car accident with the involvement of Eugene Zhovtis, the Director of Kazakhstani human rights bureau.
It has to be mentioned that on July 26, the car, driven by Eugene Zhovtis, hit the pedestrian at the Almaty-Karaoy highway in Kazakhstan. The pedestrian had died immediately. The prominent human rights leader affirms that he had no opportunity to prevent the accident since the pedestrian got into roadway because he was dazzled by opposite vehicle. Zhovtis called police and ambulance, but they were not able to rescue the victim.
The law enforcement bodies of Kazakhstan filed the criminal case against Eugene Zhovtis and he signed the recognizance not to leave. The relatives of the victim have no claims against the human rights activist.
Nonetheless, the colleagues and friends of Eugene Zhovtis are concerned that the authorities may use the car accident to neutralize the principled activist. And there is ground for such concerns. Eugene Zhovtis informed that he disagrees with the results of expertise; in his opinion, the policemen falsified data, given to the experts. The human rights advocate says that "the results are pumped up".
Below you can read the full text of the letter, directed by the International Committee for compliance with law.
International Committee for
Observation of the Law in the Legal Case against Evgeny Zhovtis
Statement
Uphold rule of law and impartiality in the case of Kazakh human rights defender Evgeny Zhovtis
21 August, 2009
International Committee for Observation of the Law in the Legal Case against Evgeny Zhovtis expresses deep condolences to the family and friends of Kanat Moldabayev, who tragically died in the traffic accident.
The Committee fully realizes the tragedy of the situation, when concurrence of circumstances led to the loss of life.
At the same time, the Committee points out that developments after the incident have generated wide public and international response, various interpretations of what had actually happened as well as attempts of manipulation of the public opinion and imposition of pressure on the investigation.
We call on the political parties, movements, NGOs, and mass media of Kazakhstan to refrain from politicization of the case and its consequences, distorting of the information around the case, or using it for their own interests.
We urge the law enforcement bodies of Kazakhstan to ensure maximum impartiality and absence of bias during the investigation of the case and to use all possible technical and legal tools to examine the details and circumstances of the accident.
We urge the courts of the Republic of Kazakhstan to provide the highest possible thoroughness and fairness during consideration of this case in order to establish the truth.
The Committee knows Evgeny Zhovtis as a sincere advocate of human rights and an outspoken opponent of the authorities. In this regard, we appeal to all levels of power in the Republic of Kazakhstan to avoid any possible temptations, which may come up in the course of review of this case, and preclude any kind of pressure on the investigation or the judicial bodies.
The International Committee believes that this case which is closely followed at home and internationally should become a maturity test for all government institutions of Kazakhstan, the constitutional principles of separation of powers, and for independence of investigation and courts.
The International Committee members: Inessa Gezelle Meerburg (Kazakhstan), Andrey Aranbaev (Turkmenista), Vitaliy Ponomarev (Russia), Yrui Dzhibladze (Russia).