Opposition Republican People's Party in Canada
A significant event took place in Ottawa

An event took place in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, which Kazakh democratic opposition regards as significant. On behalf of a Canadian office of the Republican People's Party of Kazakhstan (RPPK), its two members, Serik Medetbekov and Daniar Khasanov, met with Canada's foreign minister Bill Graham and parliamentary leader Peter Milliken.

Kazakh opposition members have had an experience of meeting with western ministers and parliamentaries. It would suffice to remember the meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Albright or German foreign minister Fischer. However, it was for the first time that government leaders extended an invitation to activists of a party that have its own emigrants' office. In addition to Canada, the Republican People's Party offices have been established in several western countries. Undoubtedly, the example of their Canadian colleagues will give a powerful impetus to their activities.

During a meeting with Canada's foreign minister, the RPPK members informed him of recent government crackdown on independent media and opposition parties in Kazakhstan. They also gave an overview of the general political situation, formed as a result of presidential and parliamentary elections in 1999 that were neither free nor fair. Kazakh opposition members stressed that no elections would ever bring stability to Kazakhstan if its people, including the RPPK leaders who live in forced exile, are unable to openly participate in the political life at home. New tricks employed by the authorities aimed to bar the Republican People's Party and other democratic parties from parliament and executive bodies will further polarize the political forces and will lead to open confrontation between the ruling elite and Kazakh society. Neighboring Kyrgyzstan could be regarded as a model of such development.

Minister Graham shared these concerns. He stressed that Kazakh authorities violate not only human rights, which causes great concern, but they also violate foreign investors rights. Even those companies, which have filed a lawsuit against Kazakh government and won their cases in international arbitration are unable to get Kazakh authorities pay for the damages caused. This is a real obstacle to Kazakhstan admission to WTO which Astana seeks.

Human rights violations and the lack of political freedoms under the Nazarbayev regime were discussed in greater detail during the meeting of RPPK's representatives in Canada with Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and International Development Beth Phinney. Kazakh guests asked the committee's leader to hold parliamentary hearings in order to outline Canada's position on this problem and to work out measures that could be taken to urge Astana to respect the internationally accepted democratic standards. Provisionally, parliamentary hearings on situation in Kazakhstan and measures to support democracy are to be held later this year. Victims of political repressions, political parties activists and independent journalists will be invited to testify at the hearings as witnesses.

Member of Canadian Parliament Marlene Jennings supported in parliament the proposal by Serik Medetbekov and Daniar Khasanov of such hearings.

In the end of their eventful visit to the Canadian parliament, the RPPK's delegation was introduced to its Speaker Peter Milliken. The guests were invited to attend a session at which Prime Minister Jean Chretien took parliamentary questions. After the session, Serik Medetbekov and Daniar Khasanov met with a group of MPs in an informal atmosphere and advised them of current situation in Kazakhstan, forthcoming hearings, and RPPK's activities in western countries.

A state-run television and radio company CBC has invited Serik Medetbekov and Daniar Khasanov to take part in a news program on situation in Kazakhstan. They also gave interviews to two major Canadian papers – the Globe and Mail and the National Post.

The Eurasia-Internet web site will keep its readers informed about the proposed Canadian parliamentary hearings.

http://eurasia.org.ru/cgi-bin/datacgi/database.cgi?file=News&report=SingleArticle&ArticleID=0000375