British Parliamentarians Have Created a Commission to Investigate The Case of Mamay

Senior British parliamentarians have initiated the creation of a non-governmental commission to investigate the detention and treatment of the leader of the unregistered Democratic Party, Zhanbolat Mamay.

The commission's members intend to hold an open meeting to hear the testimony of witnesses, as well as Kazakhstani and international human rights organizations at the end of 2022.

This was stated at a press conference today by the Chairman of the Commission, Lord MacDonald of River Glaven, Mamay's lawyer, Kenzhebayev, representative of the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, Yevgeny Zhovtis, and Tayab Ali, a partner of Bindmans LLP.

International human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called for Mamay's immediate release and to drop the charges against him.

Lord MacDonald, MP Andrew Mitchell and Rushanara Ali sent an official letter to the Embassy of Kazakhstan in London on October 11. They offered the government to participate in the investigation and requested to assist in a planned visit to Kazakhstan. During the visit, they plan to interview Mamay and other key witnesses.

On October 20, the Commission met with representatives of the country at the London Embassy of the Republic to discuss cooperation.

The Commission is currently in the process of obtaining evidence regarding the detention and treatment of Mamay and other prisoners. It will also consider evidence sent by witnesses, Kazakh and international human rights organizations and reports from third states.

Mamay has been in custody since February. He has been charged with four articles of the Criminal Code. The leader of an unregistered party could face up to ten years in prison.

Original Author: Damira Augambayeva