Kazakhstan: women shave their heads in protest against judicial arbitrariness
In Kazakhstan, women launched a rather unusual challenge on Instagram. During live broadcast, they shaved their heads in protest against the authorities and judicial arbitrariness.
Six women, who introduced themselves as Kazakh citizen, mother, daughter, wife, girlfriend and grandmother, said they were living in a prison called “Kazakhstan”.
“I live in a country where there is no right to choose; in a country where I am not sure of the future; in a country where the truth is considered extremism; in a country where bloggers are killed. I live in a country that has become a laughingstock for the whole world,” they say one by one.
The video was posted on the account of human rights activist and civil activist Dana Zhanay, who heads the Human Rights Foundation “Qaharman”. This is the same foundation that recently (together with the Ukrainian-Polish-Belgian Foundation “Open Dialogue”) called for the imposition of international sanctions against the first President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev, Chairman of the National Security Committee Karim Masimov and some other high-ranking officials under the Global Magnitsky Act.
Apparently, the Foundation is actively trying to attract attention from other international human rights organizations and donors. And this video challenge is another step towards the goal.
“In protest of the lawlessness, against pressure and arbitrary rule, against article 405, against ostentatious rallies, against theft and corruption, against dictatorship, I am going to take this step!” the participants of the flash mob express their protest.
After that, they shave off with an electric hairclipper or cut the hair with scissors.
“This is my attempt to be heard. This is the cry of my soul. This is my signal for help. This is my heart call. And this is a step of despair!” women explain their actions.
Then, already in a bald shape, they continue their fiery speech:
“Now we are defending freedom online, because we are not allowed to go out into the streets and squares,” one of them says.
“I ask you to introduce personal sanctions for all those who are involved in the repressions in Kazakhstan!” another one claims.
“I demand freedom for political prisoners and politically persecuted!” the third one says.
“I demand the right to freedom of speech!” the fourth woman states.
“I demand the right to peaceful rallies of the real opposition!” sums up the fifth participant of the flash mob.
Then, the women said what they stood for:
“I am for justice for everyone! I am for peace and equality! I am for life of dignity! Alga (forward – Kaz.), Kazakhstan! I am for love and beauty! I am for free Kazakhstan! I am for fair Kazakhstan! Our hearts demand changes,” the video ends with these statements.
“Our brave activists sacrificed their beautiful hair, thus showing their protest, because they want freedom for their and your children. They demand freedom for all fathers and mothers! These girls are not just a beautiful picture that some pseudo-oppositionists set out. They write angry posts against those who brought thousands of people to the streets. These girls are really strong in spirit! I will not stop admiring our heroines, our compatriots. Freedom for political prisoners!” Dana Zhanay writes in her post with this video.
