Kazakhstan: persecution of human rights activist Elena Semenova continues

Four lawsuits and two pre-trial claims have been brought against the well-known Kazakh human rights activist Elena Semenova, who is involved in protecting the rights of prisoners.

 Elena Alexandrovna began her advocacy work by protecting people who took mortgage credits. Then her activities covered the rights of prisoners. Semenova, in her own words, repeatedly received threats. In 2018, somebody tried to set her house on fire. At the end of January 2019, the police of Pavlodar used physical force against the human rights defender. This incident caused the Amnesty International to defend her.

The first two lawsuits were brought against Semenova in March of this year. Both claims came from the colony УК 161/2 (a strict security colony in Kostanay).

However, they were not enough to force Semenova to stop her human rights activities. And the Committee on the Criminal Executive System set other institutions against her.

– Elena Alexandrovna, please, tell us more about each lawsuit.

– The first lawsuit was filed by the administration of the institution УК 161/2 concerning the protection of business reputation. They didn’t like my publications about the events taking place in this institution. I talked about the situation with the hunger strike, about the situation with the filing of a collective complaint. My first publication was on October 26, 2019, the next two were on January 6 and 21, 2020. They collected all these publications of mine and filed a lawsuit.

The second lawsuit is also from this institution, but from the deputy chief for medical and preventive work of the same colony, Gulmizra Myrzaly, concerning protection of honor, dignity and business reputation. This is about my publication of January 21 on the fact of poisoning in this institution.

The next lawsuit was brought against me from the institution ЕЦ-166/4 (a colony-settlement in the village of Zarechny) due to my publication on April 14 that a convict was beaten there. There is also a lawsuit from ЖД-158/4 (Zhambyl region) because of the video, that I posted, on which the convict told that he was beaten.

There are also two pre-trial claims from the head of ЖД-158/4 in Taraz regarding my publication with a video in which the prisoner also said that he was being beaten. They also didn’t like my publication, where I wrote that the convicts nailed themselves. They all demand of protection of their business reputation.

– Claims are already in the courts?

– Yes, four lawsuits are in the courts. Concerning the first suit, the court granted the plaintiff – the head of the colony УК 161/2.

– Did he demand a disclaimer?

– Yes, and he also demanded to delete the publication. I haven’t yet seen the court decision. It isn’t ready. I don’t know how it’s motivated. My publication was based on testimony. About 30 convicts confirmed these events and all that I said. I intend to appeal this decision.

– Based on the decision concerning the first lawsuit, is it possible to assume that, regarding all the rest, court decisions will also not be in your favor?

– Concerning the first suit, I honestly tell you, I didn’t expect such a decision. I was sure that they would be refused, because in the case there were testimonies of direct participants in these events. They confirmed that these events took place. In addition, a linguistic examination was conducted, but it was carried out by the plaintiff. And honestly, I didn’t expect such a decision from an expert. She said at the court that if the court finds the information to be untrue, it means they discredit the business reputation. That is, she left the decision of this issue to the discretion of the court. And the examination, in my opinion, should be clearly: defames or doesn’t defame! There can be no reservations. Therefore, I am now doing a new examination, the findings of which will be announced during the appeal.

– Four lawsuits and two pre-trial claims were filed, it can be said, simultaneously. Is that a coincidence?

– These are purposeful actions against me.

– From whom do they come?

– From the penal system. Hands cannot do what the head doesn’t tell them.

– What is the purpose?

– To silence me!

– In addition to lawsuits, is there evidence that purposeful actions are being taken against you? Are there any threats?

– Convicts often tell me about threats. Officers of correctional institutions tell me through them that I will soon get myself into a mess.

– And what are you going to do next?

– I will continue my work in spite of all.

– In 2018, they tried to set you on fire. In January 2019, police used physical force against you. Are you not afraid for your health, for your life?

– No, I’m not afraid.

– What drives you? Why do you continue to fight for the rights of people you don’t know? For people who have committed crimes, in relation to whom society is extremely negative, considering them scum of society.

– Because I can’t be silent!