ASTANA. July 12 (Interfax) - UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay has called on the Kazakh authorities to give their go-ahead to an independent international investigation into riots in Zhanaozen, the Mangystau region, in December 2011.
Speaking at a meeting with Kazakh Constitutional Council Chairman Igor Rogov in Astana on Wednesday, Pillay said she called on Kazakh authorities to permit an independent international investigation into the events in Zhanaozen.
Pillay pointed out that the Kazakh government promised to conduct a careful investigation into the events and invited independent experts. They also gave assurances that the use of force and abuse of office by police would be investigated. However, numerous complaints about mistreatment of the suspects remained uninvestigated, she said.
Pillay insisted on observing international human rights standards in relation to the suspects and ensuring a fair trial for them, especially in line with Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Fifteen people were killed and more than 100 injured in mass riots in Zhanaozen and the village of Shetpe on December 16-17, 2011.
The trial of 37 people charged with organizing the riots in Zhanaozen started on March 27. In early June, they all were sentenced to prison terms varying from 4 to 7 years, and nearly half of them were granted parole.