Trades union activist Nurbek Kushakbaev, a labour inspector for the trade union organization of the oilfield service enterprise Oil Construction Company (OCC), was found guilty on trumped up, far-fetched charges of inciting an illegal strike. He was sentenced by a court in Astana on 7 April to two and a half years’ imprisonment under Article 402 of the Criminal Code, for inciting participation in an illegal strike. The authorities in Kazakhstan must demonstrate full respect for the rights to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, and in particular should immediately and unconditionally release Nurbek Kushakbaev and end their attack on independent trade union movements.
