While the controversy surrounding the activities of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) continues, in Kazakhstan, NGOs are looking for new sources of funding. At the same time, the rhetoric of human rights activists is changing. CMN.KZ spoke with Usen Suleimen, director of the National Endowment for Prosperity foundation in Kazakhstan, to get his opinion on the situation
In mid-May, Human Rights Ombudsman Artur Lastayev responded to an article by the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations Against Torture that addressed the allegedly real situation of torture in the country. The ombudsman said that there were five times fewer complaints. Lastaev noted that “Kazakhstani human rights activists are implementing this project with the financial support of the European Union” and specified that he usually does not react to such escapades, “preferring to focus on real problems”.
For clarity, the ombudsman showed figures that indicate that the increase in the number of those convicted of torture is directly proportional to the decrease in their registration. Between 2019 and 2022, 600-900 cases were recorded each year; in 2023, the numbers fell by 50%, and in 2024, by almost 60% more (from 462 to 193).
Only in response, the coalition somehow ignored part of the ombudsman's words, focusing its attention on political recriminations.
Attempting to look lie the victim
According to Usen Suleimen, director of the National Endowment for Prosperity foundation in Kazakhstan, representatives of the coalition did not refute any of the ombudsman's theses. He called everything "emotional chatter and an attempt to make themselves look like victims.” The expert believes that human rights activists used the old method of the past decades: “we are good, everyone else is bad.”
"Only time has changed, but the methodology has not. There are structures that have long been stuck in yesterday, specifically the KIBHR. This organization is completely hardened. It is stuck in the clichés of the late 1990s and early 2000s: “repression”, ‘system’, “state evil”. The country is modernizing, reforming, and democratizing, after all. But if you don't see it, you are either incompetent or you are consciously closing your eyes. This “consciousness” is, of course, generously paid for from abroad. And if you also deliberately mislead others, I can't call it anything other than manipulation and open sabotage," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The expert does not consider the actions of human rights defenders as protection of human rights. In Suleimen's opinion, the actions of the coalition representatives are more like an attempt to earn a stable income for decades to come.
“Real ‘human rights protection’ is not about money, but about the truth: where necessary, criticize, where there is progress, recognize. Otherwise, the mechanism does not work, the dialogue stops, and the opinion of a human rights defender has no value. And the reason is simple: without a foundation and assessments of the achieved results, the opinion is distorted, presented in a one-sided and subjective way. What is most frightening is that KIBHR leads other NGOs that are ready for constructive cooperation and objective evaluation. Their joint projects with the government have repeatedly shown their effectiveness. But we do not know what was the ‘true’ motivation for these NGOs when they signed the statement," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The director of the National Foundation for Prosperity believes that the West's decision to stop funding a number of projects was the starting point of change in the human rights sector. Being in a desperate situation, organizations are searching for money.
"My NGO is also in an active search for funding, but that's life. I urge you to be more responsible in such decisions, because our mission is to protect the rights of citizens through active participation in the work of the state to implement international obligations in everyday life."
Strayed from the path
According to Suleimen, civil society should be as honest as possible. It is time for experts and NGOs to openly express their position on KIBHR.
"I think it is time for sensible experts and NGOs to say that they are no longer on the same page with KIBHR. The organization only criticizes while acting as if they are the truth in the last instance. This position has already grown mossy, so I call on them to refuse to cooperate with such structures: do not support, do not refer to, do not associate with them. Let them be with their methodology".
As an alternative, the speaker presented his own organization, the National Endowment for Prosperity foundation, which, according to him, is not associated with anyone.
"There are a lot of people like us. I'm even thinking of creating some kind of coalition of patriot-rights activists: with figures, facts, constructive dialogue and participation of public activists. This does not mean that everyone should agree, on the contrary, criticism is necessary. But only if it is objective, constructive and does not destroy, but leads to changes in the interests of fellow Kazakhstanis, not citizens of other countries. Or it is done for the sake of receiving funding from outside. We must protect human rights, and not distort reality for the sake of “good” grant report and unclear whose or, rather, understandably whose approval," - stated Suleimen.
More criticism, more money
The expert said that the Ombudsman's tasks include calling for constructive dialogue, which is why dialogue platforms are created. However, not all human rights defenders, according to Suleimen, are ready for discussions.
"Who likes to be told the truth to his face? Seemingly, they have nothing to say in response, and there is no need to. The formula has long been known: the worse the review of the country, the more grants they give. Understand that foreigners do not pay for results or progress, they give money for criticism, the more of it, the better. Hence the distortion of factual reality. Why is it so? The answer is simple - populism. The coalition has representatives in all the working bodies: in the Ombudsman's office, in the expert and coordinating councils. Their members are also present in the National Preventive Mechanism, so the call for constructive dialogue, to put it mildly, smells of slyness," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The expert suggested that human rights defenders should move away from criticism and illiteracy, and join joint work to protect people's rights. This is exactly the position that Artur Lastayev adheres to: to work together, solving the necessary issues.
"Society has long been tired of the eternal whining of pseudo-human rights defenders. They are not only not believed, they are not even listened to. What they propose does not solve the everyday problems of the people of Kazakhstan, but protects the interests of some people who are bound by incomprehensible relations with corrupt officials, criminals or murderers. I believe that Kazakhstan has formed a public demand for patriotism, subjectivity and national pride. Stop sprinkling ashes on your head, especially when those ashes are long gone".
Usur Suleimen is confident that the government's new reforms have confirmed its commitment to international human rights standards. Moreover, the leadership of Kazakhstan continues to work on their implementation in practice, counting on the constructive participation of all stakeholders.
In mid-May, Human Rights Ombudsman Artur Lastayev responded to an article by the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations Against Torture that addressed the allegedly real situation of torture in the country. The ombudsman said that there were five times fewer complaints. Lastaev noted that “Kazakhstani human rights activists are implementing this project with the financial support of the European Union” and specified that he usually does not react to such escapades, “preferring to focus on real problems”.
For clarity, the ombudsman showed figures that indicate that the increase in the number of those convicted of torture is directly proportional to the decrease in their registration. Between 2019 and 2022, 600-900 cases were recorded each year; in 2023, the numbers fell by 50%, and in 2024, by almost 60% more (from 462 to 193).
Only in response, the coalition somehow ignored part of the ombudsman's words, focusing its attention on political recriminations.
Attempting to look lie the victim
According to Usen Suleimen, director of the National Endowment for Prosperity foundation in Kazakhstan, representatives of the coalition did not refute any of the ombudsman's theses. He called everything "emotional chatter and an attempt to make themselves look like victims.” The expert believes that human rights activists used the old method of the past decades: “we are good, everyone else is bad.”
"Only time has changed, but the methodology has not. There are structures that have long been stuck in yesterday, specifically the KIBHR. This organization is completely hardened. It is stuck in the clichés of the late 1990s and early 2000s: “repression”, ‘system’, “state evil”. The country is modernizing, reforming, and democratizing, after all. But if you don't see it, you are either incompetent or you are consciously closing your eyes. This “consciousness” is, of course, generously paid for from abroad. And if you also deliberately mislead others, I can't call it anything other than manipulation and open sabotage," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The expert does not consider the actions of human rights defenders as protection of human rights. In Suleimen's opinion, the actions of the coalition representatives are more like an attempt to earn a stable income for decades to come.
“Real ‘human rights protection’ is not about money, but about the truth: where necessary, criticize, where there is progress, recognize. Otherwise, the mechanism does not work, the dialogue stops, and the opinion of a human rights defender has no value. And the reason is simple: without a foundation and assessments of the achieved results, the opinion is distorted, presented in a one-sided and subjective way. What is most frightening is that KIBHR leads other NGOs that are ready for constructive cooperation and objective evaluation. Their joint projects with the government have repeatedly shown their effectiveness. But we do not know what was the ‘true’ motivation for these NGOs when they signed the statement," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The director of the National Foundation for Prosperity believes that the West's decision to stop funding a number of projects was the starting point of change in the human rights sector. Being in a desperate situation, organizations are searching for money.
"My NGO is also in an active search for funding, but that's life. I urge you to be more responsible in such decisions, because our mission is to protect the rights of citizens through active participation in the work of the state to implement international obligations in everyday life."
Strayed from the path
According to Suleimen, civil society should be as honest as possible. It is time for experts and NGOs to openly express their position on KIBHR.
"I think it is time for sensible experts and NGOs to say that they are no longer on the same page with KIBHR. The organization only criticizes while acting as if they are the truth in the last instance. This position has already grown mossy, so I call on them to refuse to cooperate with such structures: do not support, do not refer to, do not associate with them. Let them be with their methodology".
As an alternative, the speaker presented his own organization, the National Endowment for Prosperity foundation, which, according to him, is not associated with anyone.
"There are a lot of people like us. I'm even thinking of creating some kind of coalition of patriot-rights activists: with figures, facts, constructive dialogue and participation of public activists. This does not mean that everyone should agree, on the contrary, criticism is necessary. But only if it is objective, constructive and does not destroy, but leads to changes in the interests of fellow Kazakhstanis, not citizens of other countries. Or it is done for the sake of receiving funding from outside. We must protect human rights, and not distort reality for the sake of “good” grant report and unclear whose or, rather, understandably whose approval," - stated Suleimen.
More criticism, more money
The expert said that the Ombudsman's tasks include calling for constructive dialogue, which is why dialogue platforms are created. However, not all human rights defenders, according to Suleimen, are ready for discussions.
"Who likes to be told the truth to his face? Seemingly, they have nothing to say in response, and there is no need to. The formula has long been known: the worse the review of the country, the more grants they give. Understand that foreigners do not pay for results or progress, they give money for criticism, the more of it, the better. Hence the distortion of factual reality. Why is it so? The answer is simple - populism. The coalition has representatives in all the working bodies: in the Ombudsman's office, in the expert and coordinating councils. Their members are also present in the National Preventive Mechanism, so the call for constructive dialogue, to put it mildly, smells of slyness," – stated Usen Suleimen.
The expert suggested that human rights defenders should move away from criticism and illiteracy, and join joint work to protect people's rights. This is exactly the position that Artur Lastayev adheres to: to work together, solving the necessary issues.
"Society has long been tired of the eternal whining of pseudo-human rights defenders. They are not only not believed, they are not even listened to. What they propose does not solve the everyday problems of the people of Kazakhstan, but protects the interests of some people who are bound by incomprehensible relations with corrupt officials, criminals or murderers. I believe that Kazakhstan has formed a public demand for patriotism, subjectivity and national pride. Stop sprinkling ashes on your head, especially when those ashes are long gone".
Usur Suleimen is confident that the government's new reforms have confirmed its commitment to international human rights standards. Moreover, the leadership of Kazakhstan continues to work on their implementation in practice, counting on the constructive participation of all stakeholders.