Akezhan Kazhegeldin's address to Kazakh opposition parties and movements
Opposition leader calls the Nazarbayev judicial system a "criminal organization" and urges to boycott the economic forum in Almaty

Forum of Democratic Forces of Kazakhstan
Executive Committee, Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan
Interim Executive Committee, United Democratic Party
Political Council, Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan

Dear fellow countrymen:

Kazakh society is facing a new test: Either the Nazarbayev regime will keep violating our rights, jail us, and deprive us of any possibility to live and work on our native land or we'll show solidarity and manage to sweep the regime away.

Together with you, I have learnt about the arrest in Almaty of Mukhtar Ablyazov, co-chairman of the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement (DVK). Together with all normal citizens in our country, I am indignant over yet another abuse by the Nazarbayev police.

Let's remember we are not the first fighters for freedom and justice in the history of Kazakhstan. If the authorities managed to persecute our predecessors, its just because the voices of support were not strong enough then. For a long time, many simply watched the clampdown on the opponents of Nazarbayev's personal power.

Perhaps, the President and his associates thought that today's opposition will remain as separated as ever and will be unable to set anything against the political persecution except its silent disapproval. They are wrong. Mukhtar Ablyazov or anyone else subjected to illegal reprisals will not be left unprotected. They are our compatriots, our comrades in arms, our brothers. We should rise to protect them.

Nursultan Nazarbayev and his grand criminal organization disguised as the law enforcement agencies and judicial system have no moral right to judge or convict anyone. The Nazarbayev's authority is illegitimate. Similarly, illegitimate are the corrupt judges appointed by him who bring to trial not guilty citizens and protect the corrupt.

Since 1999, I have gone through different courts of the Nazarbayev judicial system on various charges - from administrative offences to high treason and sponsoring armed groups. That's why I have the right to declare that there is no justice in Kazakhstan, nor fair trial or independent court. Not a single charge, not a single verdict by the President's puppets may be recognized as lawful and fair.

Mukhar Ablyazov has been jailed for his political activities. We should do our utmost to help free him. Each day in jail is a threat to his health and safety.

It's time to take action. I urge you to urgently call a meeting of the opposition activists and issue a joint statement. But it is not enough. You should organize public rallies and protest actions, use any mass action to involve as many people as possible in the struggle to release Mr. Ablyazov.

In a few days, a Davos-type forum is to take place in Almaty. Representatives of international financial organizations and foreign companies active in Kazakhstan will come to attend it. You should immediately forward letters to each potential participant in the forum urging them to boycott this assembly. During the forum, you should organize pickets at its venue. Use for this purpose all the resources available, both material and human.

Engage the best and most courageous Kazakh lawyers to defend Mr. Ablyazov. I would ask you to figure out what I should do for this purpose, what I should do in association with you to free Mukhtar Ablyazov. Please count on me in this struggle. Please let him know of my full support.

In the nearest future, I am going to present to opposition parties, their members, and prominent figures of our country a program of uniting our forces, a program of active actions. Without sweeping away Nazarbayev by joint efforts of the nation, we will never be able to feel free and safe. By fighting for Mukhtar Ablyazov's freedom we fight for the freedom of each Kazakh citizen.

Akezhan Kazhegeldin

March 28, 2002