In this submission, Amnesty International expresses concerns about the restrictions on the right to freedom of assembly, and arbitrary detention and excessive use of force against peaceful protesters. The government has imposed restrictions on the media and internet. Torture and other ill-treatment remain widespread. Kazakhstan has also forcibly returned asylum-seekers to countries where they are at risk of torture and other ill-treatment. The organization also notes the introduction of new counter-terrorism legislation and the flouting of fair trial standards in criminal proceedings against suspects of terrorist crimes.