Syrian refugees were amongst the most affected by state measures to combat COVID-19 as a result of their largely informal employment and a lack of written contracts, social security and health insurance cover or valid work permits. According to UNHCR, one third lost their jobs while others saw a 40% drop in their income. Syrian refugees were barred from several employment sectors, including the health, teaching, engineering and technical professions. Palestinian refugees from the Gaza Strip continued to be excluded from basic rights and services as they do not have Jordanian citizenship.
were injured and 10 died. Following the first confirmed COVID-19 cases a state of emergency was declared from 16 March to 11 May. By 29 October, 2,219 deaths from COVID-19 had been officially confirmed. Official excess death statistics, however, indicated a considerably higher death toll. The World Bank reported in a mid-year projection that as a result of the pandemic an additional 800,000 people were living in poverty. In September, Kazakhstan signed the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, committing not to carry out executions and to abolish the death penalty.
DEATH PENALTY
FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY
Authorities continued to hand down death sentences; no executions were carried out.
Peaceful demonstrators were subjected to administrative detentions and fines. In May, the President signed a new Law on Public Assemblies which fell short of international standards. It effectively requires the authorities’ permission and only allows assemblies in designated locations. It openly discriminates against non-citizens, persons with mental or “psycho-social” disabilities, and unregistered organizations. On 6 June, a peaceful protest in the city of Almaty was dispersed on the grounds that the area needed to be disinfected. Hundreds were briefly detained. Human rights defender Asya Tulesova remonstrated with police officers for detaining peaceful protesters and knocked a police officer’s hat off. She was remanded for two months in pre-trial detention despite the risks of COVID-19 and sentenced on 12 August to 18 months of “restricted freedom” (a parole-like noncustodial sentence) and a fine for attacking and insulting a police officer.
1. Jordan: Authorities must allow urgent medical care for displaced Syrians in Rukban during COVID-19 (Press release, 7 May) 2. Jordan: Stop forcible transfer of Syrian refugees to a no-man’s land in the desert (Press release, 15 September)
KAZAKHSTAN Republic of Kazakhstan Head of state: Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Head of government: Askar Mamin
The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression remained severely limited. Critics of the authorities faced politically motivated prosecution. Torture and other illtreatment remained widespread. Human rights defenders faced harassment and civil prosecution for libel. LGBTI people faced stigma and abuse. People with disabilities were deprived of their rights. The worsening economic situation caused by the pandemic reduced access to education and increased child labour.
BACKGROUND On 10 February during clashes between ethnic Kazakhs and Dungans, a Muslim ethnic group of Chinese origin, hundreds
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FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION In June, the President signed a law to decriminalize libel. However, peaceful critics of the government faced prosecution and harsh penalties as the authorities exploited the state of emergency measures envisaged by Article 274 of the Criminal Code (“dissemination of knowingly false information”) to clamp down on dissent.
Amnesty International Report 2020/21
