Kazakhstan: Activists Denied Permission for Anti-VAT Protests in Three Cities

In less than five years, members of the human rights group ActivistsNonExtremists have been denied permission to hold rallies 713 times, Orda.kz reports.

Their latest attempt — to stage peaceful demonstrations in Almaty, Astana, and Shymkent against the planned 16% VAT increase — has again been rejected.

The activists planned to protest rising prices and the tax hike on October 25, submitting three separate notifications to the akimats of each city for rallies at:

• 10:00–11:30
  
• 12:00–13:30
  
• 14:00–16:00

On October 2, they received nine refusals in total — three from each city. Officials cited incomplete information and the scheduling of other events as reasons for the rejections. Activists note that this brings the number of denials in 2025 alone to 27.

Earlier this year, authorities also refused permission for rallies on the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Political Repression and the Asharshylyq (famine - Ed.), as well as demonstrations demanding the release of political prisoners.

Original Author: Alexandra Mokhireva