Kazakhstan - January 2024

Draft legislation introduced on 25 January would allow the Foreign Ministry to refuse foreign correspondents accreditation on undefined ‘national security’ grounds and introduce onerous registration requirements for online media. Online media will now have to maintain a physical office in the country and undergo mandatory registration, and unaccredited foreign media and correspondents will be banned from operating in the country. Of further concern is placing foreign accreditation solely under the purview of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meaning refusals can be done without a court order or explanation and would not be subject to appeal. Domestic media and civil society and international press freedom watchdogs have urged parliament to reconsider.

Sources: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, International Press Institute