Combatting Torture in Kazakhstan through Digital Tools
For many years, cases of torture by law enforcement officers in Kazakhstan have not reached the court, as victims lacked evidence and access to complaint mechanisms. Yet after January 2022, when a series of mass protests triggered by a sudden surge in gas prices led to violent clashes between protesters and police, numerous reports of torture and cruel police treatment surfaced. The need for a more effective mechanism for filing complaints and investigating cases of torture became more pronounced. In response to this need, the Expert Independent Research Institute (EIRI) Public Foundation, with the support of USAID’s Social Innovation in Central Asia (SICA) program, launched a project to combat torture of Kazakhstanis by state law enforcement agencies. The team created an educational website and a series of free videos that has helped more than 5,000 victims of torture find step-by-step procedures to protect their rights. Moreover, thanks to SICA support, the organization conducted workshops and roundtables for law enforcement officials that received public recognition and more than 20 media mentions.
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