Astana court 1 Dec charged leader of unregistered Alash People’s Social Democratic Party, Syrym Abdirakhmanov, with distribution of false information, assaulting a public official, offending a public official, and obstructing justice. Came one day after Almaty district court 30 Nov sentenced opposition activist Aset Abishev to four years in jail on charges of supporting activities of banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement.

Amid ongoing reports of harassment and detention of ethnic Kazakhs in “re-education” camps in China’s Xinjiang province, 50 schoolchildren gathered in Almaty 2 Nov calling for authorities and international human rights organisations to press for release of their parents.

Amid reports of harassment and detention of ethnic Kazakhs in “re-education” camps in China’s Xinjiang province (see China), dozens of Kazakhs 4 Oct presented petition at German Embassy appealing to German Chancellor Merkel for help with release of their relatives. Govt 5 Oct denied asylum request of ethnic Kazakh Chinese woman who fled China and spoke out about “re-education” camps in Xinjiang. Police 27 Sept arrested French journalist Vincent Prado, investigating 2011 deadly crackdown on oil workers’ protest in Zhanaozen (south west); released same day, banned from working in Aktau region.

President Nazarbayev 10 Sept dismissed Chief of Staff Adilbek Zhaqsybekov, ostensibly because he reached retirement age, replacing him with mayor of capital Aset Isekeshev. After Human Rights Watch 10 Sept issued report claiming cultural and religious eradication of Muslims in China’s Xinjiang province, adjacent to Kazakhstan, Kazakhs reported their relatives were being held in Chinese “re-education camps”.

Leaders of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iran, Russia and Turkmenistan met in Kazakh city Aktau 12 Aug to sign new convention on legal status of Caspian Sea (in dispute for two decades) and outlining rights of littoral states; new agreement not disclosed, reportedly allows for construction of underwater pipelines and fishing quotas; follow-up talks expected. Nazarbayev 24 Aug attended meeting of Central Asian leaders in Turkmenistan to discuss environmental degradation of Aral Sea (see Turkmenistan).

President Nazarbayev 5 July signed decree, which came into force 12 July, making him head of Security Council for life, and changing body’s status from consultative to constitutional. U.S. officials visiting Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan 20-23 July met with representatives from all five Central Asian states for meetings under C5+1 format which includes economic and security cooperation.

Police 23 June detained dozens across country ahead of planned protest by banned opposition Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement; authorities 19 June questioned four journalists in connection with protest. Speaker of parliament, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, 20 June said he does not believe President Nazarbayev will run for another term in 2020.

Police 10 May detained dozens of protesters during nationwide demonstrations calling for release of political prisoners; rallies were organised by banned Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan movement to coincide with visit from EU delegation. Parliament 31 May approved bill allowing President Nazarbayev to chair Security Council for life. Several activists detained or arrested ahead of planned rally against land reforms scheduled for 21 May.

Four Central Asian presidents and representative from Turkmenistan met in Astana 15-16 March, in first meeting in this format in a decade, also notable for not being attended by Russia or China. Opening proceedings, Kazakh President Nazarbayev thanked Uzbek President Mirziyoyev for suggesting meeting. All parties made positive noise about increased cooperation, committing to coordination on use of water resources, increased trade and consultation on security matters. Next meeting of presidents will take place in Uzbek capital Tashkent in March 2019. Nazarbayev visited Uzbekistan’s Samarkand 21 March to mark Nowruz holiday with Uzbek President Mirziyoyev.

Police arrested Kyrgyz MP Damirbek Asylbek-Uulu along with 35 others including border guards, customs officials and representatives of crime groups, during extensive anti-smuggling operation led by National Security Committee and Anti-corruption Bureau 15-16 Feb. Asylbek-Uulu, detained in Kazakhstan and charged with smuggling and being member of organised criminal group, denied charges; responding to request for clarification from Kyrgyz foreign minister, Astana confirmed MP’s arrest, adding he holds Kazakh and Kyrgyz passports.