Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan’s Statement on the Decision of the Parole Commission in the case of Yevgeniy Zhovtis
Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan (SFK) is extremely concerned with the continuous worsening of the human rights situation in Kazakhstan, demonstrated by the recent decision of the Parole Commission for the Penal Institution ОВ 156/13 that has declined Yevgeniy’s Zhovtis’s application for an early release citing that in their opinion, Yevgeniy was yet “to assume the path to redemption”.
Yevgeniy Zhovtis is a well-known human rights defender, famous both in Kazakhstan and abroad. He has actively participated in various government committees, sharing with them his unique human rights expertise. Convicted of a vehicular manslaughter, while serving his term he has been actively working to support other inmates, and has continuously called the authorities to pursue with their human rights commitments.
The Commission’s decision to refuse Yevgeniy Zhovtis in an early release questions the seriousness of Kazakhstan’s intentions to fulfill their international human rights obligations, including those found in the recently adopted OSCE Astana Declaration. This decision further contradicts the earlier announced Presidential course to humanize Kazakhstan’s penal system.
Background
Yevgeniy Zhovtis has been the Chair of Soros Foundation – Kazakhstan’s Board of Directors from 1999 through 2002; he is an internationally recognized human rights defender and a recipient of international awards for his work. An outspoken human rights defender in Kazakhstan, Zhovtis also actively participated in various government commissions bringing his expertise and insights as a human rights activist.