The UN calls on all parties in Kazakhstan to “refrain from violence”

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, on Thursday called all parties to the conflict in Kazakhstan, shaken by strong unrest, to “Refrain from violence” and called for a “peaceful resolution” of the crisis.

“People have the right to demonstrate peacefully and express themselves freely. On the other hand, the protesters, no matter how angry or unhappy they may be, they must not resort to violence“Bachelet said in a statement, in which he called for the release of those detained” for exercising their right to demonstrate peacefully. “

Bachelet indicates that all complaints of human rights violations must be the subject of a prompt, independent and exhaustive investigation.

The High Commissioner insisted that the foreign security forces brought into the country, at the request of the authorities, to “maintain and restore public order” tThey must also respect international law.

The senior UN official also asked the authorities to restore the internet, stressing that this network is essential for emergency health services, in the context of the covid-19 pandemic.

“The internet outage which has the effect of restricting people’s access to information and their right to freedom of expression, assembly and participation, in addition to other rights, is not the answer to the crisis and runs the risk of fueling violence and problemsBachelet affirmed.

Kazakhstan has been rocked for several days by a wave of protests against a rise in the price of gas, which led to riots that have killed dozens. (I)