Peaceful Assembly

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is also unduly restricted. Permission must be obtained from authorities prior to any demonstration, and permission is frequently denied, or time and place restrictions imposed on the assembly. Breaching the laws on holding assemblies, including organizing or participating in, or proving assistance to, an illegal demonstration is punishable by sanctions including administrative detention. Authorities detained an estimated 500 people intending to participate on 21 May 2016 in peaceful demonstrations against proposed changes to the land code. Journalists and assembly monitors were also detained. Three activists - Maks Bokaev, Talgat Ayan, and Zhanat Esentaev - face serious criminal charges, including spreading of false information and organizing unsanctioned demonstrations, in relation to the protests.