Kazakhstan: Police Force Journalist Sandugash Duysenova to Strip Naked and Film Her While in Detention

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is utterly appalled by the behavior of police and demands an urgent and transparent investigation into this abuse of power

Location: Kazakhstan, Taldykorgan
Date: August 11, 2023

Kazakhstan journalist Sandugash Duysenova, known for her investigative work on social issues and corruption, was humiliated and tortured by investigators during detention. The journalist was brought into custody over an article she wrote, all charges against her were later dropped. The Coalition For Women In Journalism vehemently condemns the abuse by police and calls on authorities to investigate Duysevnova’s allegations immediately and prosecute those responsible.

On August 11, 2023, Sandugash Duysenova was detained by police in the Zhetysu region of southeastern Kazakhstan. The journalist was charged with privacy violation and disclosing personal information after publishing an article that revealed the identity number of a convicted murderer.

During her time in police custody in Taldykorgan, Sandugash Duysenova was forced to strip naked and was filmed by investigators, who tortured and humiliated her. They also threatened to harm her family if she did not confess to the charges against her. 

Such acts of police torture and harassment against journalists have far-reaching and devastating consequences. They inflict physical and psychological trauma, undermine freedom of expression, erode public trust in law enforcement agencies, discourage investigative journalism, and instill fear, effectively silencing journalists.

Upon her release, Duysenova called for an investigation into the police abuse she endured and for those responsible to be held accountable. 

Her case has garnered attention from both local and international media, as well as human rights organizations. Local journalist organizations issued an open letter to the Kazakh President, urging the prevention of torture and degrading treatment of journalists within law enforcement agencies. Activists also highlighted that forcing the reporter to strip naked and recording her can be seen as an attempt to pressure Duysenova due to her journalistic work.

Human rights organizations called on Kazakh officials to adhere to their constitution which prohibits torture as well as the United Nations Convention Against Torture, which the country has ratified. 

On August 15, 2023, the prosecutor general's office dismissed the criminal case against Duysenova due to a lack of evidence. The journalist welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to her supporters for their solidarity. 

Despite the trauma she experienced, the award-winning journalist remains determined to continue her important journalistic work and political activism. Last year, Duysenova was presented with the International Media CAMP Award for her photograph depicting the toppled statue of Nursultan Nazarbaev in Taldykorgan during the period of crackdowns in Kazakhstan in January 2022.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Sandugash Duysenova and calls for justice to be served. We call on Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev to urgently condemn the horrific treatment of Duysenova in police custody and urge the Human Rights Ombudsman and Public Prosecutor to conduct a thorough investigation into the journalist’s claims and hold those responsible to account.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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