Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev is accused of robbing the country, and Tokayev – of genocide
The debunking and deposition of the merits of the country’s first President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, continues in Kazakhstan. Following the detentions and arrests of members of his clan and relatives, there is more and more talk that Nazarbayev himself should be subjected to appropriate legal measures.
It’s not possible to bring the ex-leader of Kazakhstan to justice, since the country has a constitutional law “On the first President”, which provides Nazarbayev with immunity. But, apparently, this is not for long. The second President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Zhomart Tokayev, who is Nazarbayev’s successor, initiated amendments to the Constitution of the republic, one of which prescribes the elimination of Nazarbayev’s status of Elbasy (the leader of the nation) from the Basic Law of the country. In addition, the official authorities began to talk about the abolition of the law “On the first President”.
It’s not surprising that against this background, accusations are increasingly being made against not only Nazarbayev’s family and inner circle, but also against himself. What was previously not allowed even in thoughts, since it was possible to end up behind bars, now it seems to be possible. The political thaw allows people not only to criticize Nazarbayev aloud, but also to ask his successor for things that were previously unimaginable. By the way, the incumbent President also suffers from the people, because the people don’t believe that Tokayev is an independent President, and not part of Nazarbayev’s clan.
For example, on the website of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights, the 227th appeal of citizens to President Tokayev was posted. It was signed by pensioners and low-income people.
From the very first lines, the authors of the petition accuse the current head of state of being deaf to the aspirations and requests of the people, that in pursuit of political reforms, Tokayev completely forgot about social problems.
“The authorities, probably, are guided by their multimillion-dollar salaries, which will allow them and their clan to calmly wait out difficult times. But what about us? After all, with insignificant handouts, the authorities only imitate concern for the people. By the way, we also felt indifference to our problems in your message about the social sphere; it was just vague wording… no word about the rampant price increase in the country! And the decision to raise the living-wage and the size of the minimum pensions is just fables, lies, because in fact the imbalance between huge expenses and insignificant handouts is only growing!” was stated in the appeal.
According to citizens, Tokayev simply avoids the truth about the existing discrimination and the violation of human rights.
“So, for example, Vice Minister of Labor Erbol Ospanov, in another reply, said that supposedly the minimum pension of $144 is 1.8 times higher than the living-wage. What nonsense! He seemed to have fallen from the moon, but he lives in Kazakhstan! The authorities put us in front of a dilemma – to be treated or to eat! Such conditions are a direct path to the extermination of people! In that case, isn’t this a genocide?!” Kazakhstanis write indignantly.
Now the authorities’ decision to raise the living-wage by $3.08 and the minimum pension by $6 has been loudly announced and doesn’t cause optimism among people either. In their opinion, this is not support for citizens, but a form of mockery.
“The people see injustice in the distribution of public funds. They see how the authorities don’t deprive themselves without remorse raising their salaries by 1.9 times, and again they gave handouts to ordinary people, like alms! But after all, such inequality contradicts Article 14 of the Constitution and is regarded as an official crime – the use of one’s official position for personal gain. Or is the ruling regime allowed to do lawlessness? Aren’t you and your clan ashamed to humiliate the older generation with handouts?” the authors of the appeal ask uncomfortable questions to the President.
The signatories believe that Tokayev and his government continue to follow the course of Nazarbayev’s anti-people policy, since it’s to their advantage.
“We are forced to look for other methods of protecting our rights, and the authorities have no right to get away – these are the International obligations of Kazakhstan. Therefore, we declare that we demand the fulfillment of International obligations to provide us with a decent standard of living! And we consider the level of your clan to be such a level! And why are we worse than your assistants? We are the same citizens of Kazakhstan! So, provide us, Kassym-Zhomart Kemelevich, with pensions and salaries identical to those of your clan! If you can’t or don’t want to, justifying yourself by the lack of budget money, then publicly renounce the accepted International obligations! You need a positive image, and we need well-being! But don’t dishonor our country with false reports to the UN!” was stated in the appeal.
The first President of the country, Nursultan Nazarbayev, also got it. People bluntly accuse him of privatization and the subsequent sale of state facilities.
“The fund, the only founder of which is ex-President Nazarbayev, bought shares of KTK TV channel for $2.6 million. As the TV channel stated, “the deal was made in order to modernize and develop KTK.” But Nazarbayev “modernized” and “developed” Kazakhstan for 30 years! And as a result, the country has been plundered and is in ruins, while the people cannot get out of poverty! How then to regard such a deal? But we, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich, hope and expect that, on the contrary, you will take measures to return the property he stole. Is your friendship with “Plato” stronger than “truth”? Is there really some kind of conspiracy between you and Nazarbayev behind the backs of the people in the lobbies of power?” people ask.
According to the authors of the appeal, during the January events, Tokayev behaved with dignity, showing courage and firmness, because “enemies wanted to overthrow him”.
“Perhaps it was precisely this circumstance that caused your decisive measures, because they personally threatened your safety and the safety of your clan. How else can you explain the drastic changes in your actions after the threat of destabilizati/wpas passed? Downright bureaucrats, odious personalities have returned to power structures. You didn’t fulfill the main demand of the protesting Kazakhs – “Shal, ket!” (Old man, leave! – the main demand at the Kazakh protests addressed to Nazarbayev). Do you seem not to hear the demand to remove iconic symbols in Kazakhstan that glorify former President Nazarbayev? It seems that he hasn’t left, but rather strengthens his stay in Kazakhstan. The people expect you to demonopolize the economy. After all, by decisions on the unfair distribution of state funds, your predecessor Nazarbayev, and after him you, gave rise to two irreconcilable opposing groups in society with different rights, different material conditions – these are ordinary people and your clan! It was you and Nazarbayev who created the chasm between them!” the authors of the appeal sum up.
