NDI - Kazakhstan

NDI E-news: Women's Leadership, Zambia, Focus Group Research | October 2011

ntekeei — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 19:54:53 +0000

October 2011

Women Seeking Leadership Roles to Make Change

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Women running for office in the Democratic Republic of Congo learn to use iKNOW Politics. Photo courtesy of NDI_DRC.

"Success without democracy is improbable. Democracy without women is impossible."
— NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright

Around the world, women in ever-increasing numbers are taking steps to join in the political process at all levels of government. Partnering with men and supporting each other, women are running for office, rising in the ranks of political parties and advocating for issues that matter in their lives.

In Egypt, where the first post-uprising election will begin Nov. 28, women are working to overcome obstacles presented by both law and custom to win election to the parliament that will draft the country's new constitution. NDI campaign schools are helping them learn about campaign strategies, message development, voter contact, public speaking and the country's complex electoral code as they prepare their candidacies.

In the Balkans, women from political parties are working together across ethnic lines and national boundaries to inject new life into stalled politics. They are championing new education policies that will help women become more entrepreneurial and establishing networks that will help them exchange best practices and overcome barriers to women's participation in politics.

At the campaign school in Cairo.

In Kazakhstan, women make up 58 percent of the civil service but hold less than 9 percent of high-level positions. Women and men from across the country came together last month to draft an action plan to boost opportunities for women to reach decision-making positions in government. The plan calls for a cabinet-level Ministry of Gender Development, creating training schools for women, encouraging women in rural areas to participate in politics and other measures.

During the Democratic Republic of Congo's last legislative elections, fewer than 1,100 of 9,000 candidates were women. To encourage more women to run in November elections, NDI held a campaign school where women interested in parliament learned what it takes to win. Hundreds of women turned out to learn about iKNOW Politics, an online network dedicated to the advancement of women in politics.

In Zambia, Observers Cite Accurate Results, Peaceful Process

Zambia’s Civil Society Election Coalition deployed more than 9,000 highly-trained monitors around the country to observe the voting and counting in last month’s elections. About 1,000 of those were assigned to a nationally representative sample of polling stations. Their conclusion, stated "with great confidence," was that the results announced by the Electoral Commission of Zambia accurately reflected the votes cast and that the process was generally smooth and peaceful. An NDI pre-election observation mission in August, led by Quett Ketumile Masire, former president of Botswana, and NDI Vice Chair Thomas Daschle, pointed out “noteworthy challenges” in the electoral environment and said the country could move forward significantly if its elections were credible and peaceful. Read more»

Liberian Elections Generally Peaceful, Orderly

The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), a coalition of seven civil society organizations and a partner of NDI's, fielded 2,000 election monitors to polling locations across the country to observe Liberia's presidential and legislative polls. Based on preliminary reports, the ECC called the elections "generally peaceful and orderly," and urged political parties to respect the official vote totals, expected later this month. Read more»

Key Reforms Needed to Clean Up Afghan Elections

Political and civil society representatives are calling on the Afghan government to carry out critical reforms to clean up the country's fraud-plagued election system. These include increased transparency in election management bodies, improvements to political parties and a better election law. Representatives of civil society, election agencies, parliament, local government, political parties, academia and the media all worked together to come up with an action plan to advance future reforms. Read more»

Citizen Organizations Work to Bolster Parliaments and Public Engagement, Survey Finds

A new report by NDI and the World Bank Institute examines the efforts of some 190 parliamentary monitoring organizations that are monitoring 82 parliaments around the world. These groups are helping citizens sift through and make sense of vast amounts of parliamentary information on such topics as voting records, the content of floor debates and committee deliberations to ensure that citizen interests are represented and legislators are held accountable. Read more»

New Focus Group Research Released in Tunisia, Kyrgyzstan, Somalia

Public opinion research can help governments, political parties and civil society better respond to the issues citizens care about most.

In Tunisia, where this month's constituent assembly elections will be the first competitive poll in the country's history, focus group research shows a widening divide between citizens and decision-makers. Citizens are frustrated by a lack of economic opportunities and perceive political parties as debating issues unrelated to their daily lives. Read more»

In Kyrgyzstan, where voters will choose a president Oct. 30, unemployment and corruption are top issues for voters. Focus group research found that ethnic tensions were still strong, but had been supplanted by unemployment and corruption as issues of top concern. Read more»

In Somalia, new research shows rising popular support for writing a new constitution. Somalis are eager to contribute to their country's future, and want a Somali-led response to conflict and greater inclusion in the transition to a permanent government. Read more»

Importance of Authentic Elections and Unhindered Election Observation Stressed at OSCE Warsaw Meeting

Speaking for the United States at the annual human rights meeting of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Patrick Merloe, NDI's director of electoral programs, emphasized the importance of a genuinely competitive electoral process — before, during and after election day. Citing Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Macedonia as examples of recent, well-run elections in the OSCE region, Merloe stressed the crucial role that citizen and international monitors have in assessing the validity of an election. Read more»

President Ouattara: Reconciliation and Security Reform Key to Recovery in Côte d'Ivoire

The president of Côte d'Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, stressed the importance of reconciliation following months of violence and displacement in his country during a Washington, D.C., appearance. "The process will be long, but we are determined and I believe we will get there," he said Sept. 23 at an event cosponsored by NDI. Read more or watch the speech»

Don't Miss NDI's 2011 Democracy Award Dinner

Join NDI Nov. 7 as we celebrate the Arab Spring and honor three supporters of democracy at our annual Democracy Award Dinner. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will give the keynote address. The W. Averell Harriman Democracy Award will posthumously honor Geraldine Ferraro, Richard Holbrooke and Charles Manatt for their lifelong commitment to democracy. Appropriate Communication Techniques for Development (ACT), an Egyptian women's group advocating full inclusion of women in the new Egyptian political order, will receive this year's Madeleine K. Albright grant. Buy your ticket»


The National Democratic Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working to support and strengthen democratic institutions worldwide through citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

Importance of Authentic Elections and Unhindered Election Observation Stressed at OSCE Warsaw Meeting

fgalleto — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:03:47 +0000

Statements on the importance of genuine, competitive elections, the need for election observation and follow up were presented last week on behalf of the United States by Patrick Merloe, NDI’s director of electoral programs, at the Human Dimension Implementation Meeting (HDIM) of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Warsaw, Poland.

At the opening plenary session of the Warsaw meeting. Photo by OSCE/Piotr Markowski

The gathering, which brings together hundreds of government representatives, human rights activists and international experts, is considered the most important human rights event of the year in the OSCE region. Merloe was a public member of the U.S. delegation, which was led by Ambassador David Johnson.

Merloe presented the two statements on Sept. 30. The first noted that “free and fair elections are a necessary part of a healthy democracy” but added that “technically well-run polling does not mean that the election process is democratic." He emphasized that “a genuine electoral process also requires an open pre-election environment in which citizens can participate fully, political parties can operate freely, independent media can flourish, and an independent judicial system operates effectively.” The statement assessed the character of recent elections in several OSCE countries, including negative elections in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and generally positive elections in Kyrgyzstan, Moldova and Macedonia.

The second statement addressed the importance of the overall election environment in determining whether an election meets OSCE standards and concluded by stressing that, "The United States supports OSCE election observation. ... We also believe that follow-up to recommendations made by the observer mission is very important."

Merloe also responded to a question from the chairman of Russia's Central Election Commission, who was speaking for the Russian delegation, about why observers are needed. "The Copenhagen Document [which contains OSCE commitments on democratic elections] and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights provide a clear answer,” Merloe said. “They both say that the authority of government derives from the will of the people expressed in genuine elections. So, citizens, in effect, own elections, because that is where sovereignty truly resides. Citizens have the right to know that their elections are genuine. Hence, domestic observers are needed."

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Published Oct. 5, 2011

Women in Kazakhstan Seek Equality at Executive Levels

fgalleto — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 19:05:30 +0000

Men still hold most of the power in Kazakhstan, despite a commitment by the government that women will hold 30 percent of decision-making roles at all levels of government by 2016.

Only 11 percent of parliamentarians are female. And while women make up 58 percent of the civil service - and about 52 percent of the population - less than 9 percent of them hold high-level positions. In local governments, 10 percent of decision-making positions are held by women.

Vladimir Kozlov, leader of the Alga! Party, pledged to fill at least 30 percent of the party's candidate list with women

Men still hold most of the power in Kazakhstan, despite a commitment by the government that women will hold 30 percent of decision-making roles at all levels of government by 2016.

Only 11 percent of parliamentarians are female. And while women make up 58 percent of the civil service — and about 52 percent of the population — less than 9 percent of them hold high-level positions. In local governments, 10 percent of decision-making positions are held by women.

To help the government carry out its gender equality strategy, more than 80 women and men from 15 cities across Kazakhstan came together with government officials, international experts, business leaders, and representatives from civil society and political parties to draft a plan to move the strategy forward. The Sept. 1 forum was sponsored by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, UN Women, the United States Agency for International Development and NDI.

Attendees discussed the widespread prejudice that undercuts opportunities for women aspiring to leadership positions, and what to do about it. Speakers shared experiences from Norway, Germany and the United States as the participants learned about the struggle for women’s political participation in other countries. They also heard about the commitments Kazakhstan has made by signing the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, the Millennium Development Goals, and other international declarations.

The action plan produced by the participants offered recommendations for promoting equal opportunities for women in both government and nongovernmental organizations. They included:

Appointing women to 10 percent of decision-making roles at all levels of government by 2012;
Creating a public education campaign to urge more women to run for office;
Creating a network of training schools for women who want to take a more active role in the political process;
Helping civil society groups already working with women in rural areas to increase their engagement with politics;
Creating a cabinet-level Ministry of Gender Development with the power to conduct programs that would fulfill the international commitments Kazakhstan has made about women’s equality.

Left to right: Amy Schultz of NDI, Erin McKee, USAID regional mission director, and Barbara Fraenkel-Thonet of the Goethe-Institut

Participants created a network on Facebook promoting women’s equality and encouraging more collaboration between government and civil society on issues of women’s empowerment. The draft action plan will be posted to the Facebook network where participants will have two weeks to comment, before the plan is finalized. They will then distribute the final plan to government, civil society, media and international partners.

Since participants came from across Kazakhstan, the Facebook network will also be used to share data they are collecting on women in decision-making positions in their communities. The data will be used as they continue to advocate for equal opportunities, and to track their progress over time. NDI will help organize a series of roundtables, starting in Shymkent, once the action plan has been finalized, to raise awareness and advocate for its full implementation.

Related:

Published Oct. 3, 2011

Freedom of Assembly Rights Limited in Kazakhstan, Study Finds

fgalleto — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:42:59 +0000

A year-long examination of freedom of assembly in Kazakhstan found the government cracking down on nearly all forms of political expression, according to a report released in December by the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, a partner organization of NDI.

The report, Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Kazakhstan: Authorization Denied, was released Dec. 13, at an international conference in Astana, the capital, that attracted an unprecedented level of Kazakhstani government involvement, but also highlighted the country's lack of progress on freedom of information. Joining the dialogue were representatives of the Kazakhstani Parliament and president's office, as well as domestic nongovernmental organizations, international organizations and diplomatic missions. Participants discussed the bureau's recommendations contained in draft legislation designed to create more political freedom around peaceful assembly and protest, with government representatives pledging to work with NDI and civil society organizations to make improvements.

The gathering was convened by NDI in cooperation with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and the Kazakhstani Presidential Commission on Human Rights.

The study focused on how assembly rights were carried out during Kazakhstan's chairmanship of the OSCE, the world's largest regional security organization encompassing 56 states from Europe, Eurasia and North America. When Kazakhstan assumed the chairmanship in January 2010, human rights activists hoped that the attendant attention and prestige would spur Kazakhstan to increase political freedoms. But that turned out not to be the case, the report said.

The report noted that the system for regulating assembly in Kazakhstan completely eliminates any freedom for citizens to peacefully assemble and express their opinions. "Harsh methods are used to prohibit any display of civic engagement, whether it is an assembly, a picket, or simply a meeting of activists that is held indoors," the report said.

Kazakhstani law regards holding a picket or hunger strike, or erecting a tent or other installation, as tantamount to holding an assembly. Distributing leaflets, joining spontaneous demonstrations known as 'flash mobs,' wearing t-shirts or carrying umbrellas with political signs or slogans, or laying flowers at memorials are considered to be "form[s] of expressing public, collective or personal interests and protest," according to the report. Any gathering where citizens discuss social or political issues requires permission from local authorities.

The political loyalty of applicants for assembly permits is officials' main consideration in deciding whether to grant permission. The study found no cases in which members of pro-government parties were prevented from holding an assembly or public event. Opposition parties, on the other hand, were almost always denied permission, although sometimes they were allowed to hold assemblies in specially designated areas far from where they might have an audience.

As a result, unauthorized assemblies are on the rise in Kazakhstan. In 1995, when the law regarding assembly took effect, unauthorized assemblies did not exceed 40 percent of the total; by 2009, 80 percent of assemblies were unauthorized, and during the 11 months of 2010 that the report analyzes, unauthorized assemblies had grown to 84 percent of the total.

The report also found that "the excessive use of force by police and severe punishments imposed by the courts against those who organize and participate in unauthorized assemblies are disproportionate to any threat to public security." The bureau found that law enforcement agencies and judicial bodies often arrest the organizers of peaceful assemblies, obstruct the assemblies, issue warnings, impose fines, and jail organizers and participants for up to 15 days.

Related:

Pictured above: Kazakhstan restricts many forms of assembly, including individuals holding signs in public places. Photo courtesy of Stan Video Portal.

Published January 5, 2011

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Kazakhstan: Authorization Denied

fgalleto — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 20:32:27 +0000

Author:

Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law

Publisher:

Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law

Published Date:

12/13/2010

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

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Privacy Law Draws Debate and Criticism in Kazakhstan

fgalleto — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 16:20:42 +0000

Civic and political leaders from across Kazakhstan came together recently to debate and discuss the merits of a new privacy bill that would introduce tough new punishments for those convicted of invasion of privacy.

The law, signed by President Nursultan Nazarbayev in December, prohibits any "unsanctioned interference into an individual's life," including the use or acquisition of any written, audio or video material related to a person's private life. The government asserts that the law provides greater protection of citizens' privacy. But journalists, opposition leaders and civic activists say the law does not distinguish between private citizens and public officials, potentially leading to harsh punishments for anyone who criticizes or scrutinizes public officials.

To promote transparency in the policy-making process, NDI organized a conference in December that brought together proponents and opponents to debate the merits and concerns about the new privacy law. The conference was moderated by a former Kazakhstani Supreme Court justice and included members of the country's constitutional council, Supreme Court, both chambers of parliament, several ministries, the prosecutor general's office, diplomatic missions, international organizations, and leading Kazakhstani NGOs and political parties.

The goal of the conference was to discuss the new law, which critics hoped might resolve potential problems in how it would be carried out. Daniyar Kanafin of the Almaty Collegium of Advocates noted that the law fails to provide for independent judicial oversight of investigations and does not distinguish between collection of evidence in legal cases and investigations instigated by secret police and conducted in secret without probable cause. Representatives of legal organizations, including the Union of Lawyers of Kazakhstan and the Almaty Bar Association, called for amendments to distinguish between public officials and private citizens and to protect attorney-client privilege by guarding lawyers against searches and wiretapping. Media organizations, such as the Union of Journalists of Kazakhstan, MediaNet and Adil Soz, raised concerns about the law's provisions on criminal liability, which allow for up to five years imprisonment for privacy violations.

Following a day of discussion, the participants agreed that the law needed to be revisited although they did not agree on what specific changes were needed. The participants agreed to conduct a public information campaign to educate Kazakhstanis about their privacy rights and the new law. NDI will work with civic groups, led by the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law, to help them plan and carry out campaigns encouraging open dialogue among parliamentarians, government officials and citizens about potential revisions to the law and its enforcement.

Kazakhstan recently assumed the chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). In this role, the government is expected to adhere to the OSCE's core principles on democracy and human rights. To help government institutions live up to these commitments, NDI has been working with political parties and civic groups to encourage the Kazakhstani government to improve the political, legal and regulatory environment for political participation in the country. The Institute has conducted a series of dialogues, including the one on the privacy law as well as others on such issues as citizen-government engagement and Internet freedom, that have been attended by participants from around the country.

Published on February 23, 2010

Kazakhstan

jbowen — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 17:13:01 +0000

Since 1992, NDI has worked in Kazakhstan to help citizens learn more about their rights and responsibilities and participate in electoral and political processes. The Institute has helped to strengthen nongovernmental organizations and political parties and assisted elected officials in reaching out to citizens to resolve local issues.

Subscribe to updates about Kazakhstan

Citizen Participation

Since 2004, NDI has supported citizen education and activism through the establishment of information centers. These centers offer access to newspapers as well as a library of laws and publications in Kazakh and Russian, and provide a site for citizens and civic organizations to meet. The centers serve as a venue where citizens can take responsibility for solving problems in their own communities. NDI currently operates information centers in Shymkent, Taraz, and Kentau. NDI supports interaction between citizens and government by bringing together local council deputies and civil society organizations to discuss prospects for cooperation on issues of shared concern.

Nonpartisan Domestic Election Monitoring

The Institute has supported the development of the nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization, the Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM). RNIM has conducted several election monitoring missions and led legislative advocacy campaigns, establishing itself as a high-profile citizen organization.

Political Party Development

NDI shares international best practices relating to political party reform with all major political parties in Kazakhstan. Discussions focus on methods for promoting greater citizen involvement in politics, including increasing the political participation of youth and women.

Contact Information

For more information about these programs, use our contact form or contact:

Washington, D.C.
Laura Jewett, Regional Director

Subscribe to updates about Kazakhstan

Amy Schultz

ggreene — Thu, 15 May 2008 16:45:25 +0000

Amy Schultz is NDI’s resident director in Kazakhstan, where she oversees all Institute programs from the Almaty office. Previously, she managed NDI initiatives in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. Ms. Schultz brings to the Institute more than 20 years of wide-ranging political and civic experience.

Since 1998, Ms. Schultz has worked extensively with NDI’s international and local partners, including senior government and political party officials, and representatives of foreign diplomatic missions, international organizations, aid agencies, research institutions and the media. She has trained political parties and civic organizations on strategic planning, advocacy, outreach, communications, message development, fundraising and capacity building through a series of programs to strengthen political parties, support the development of civic organization and increase women’s political participation. Ms. Schultz has also managed nationwide election monitoring missions, including strategic planning, materials development, press relations, logistical arrangements, and the recruitment, training and deployment of thousands of domestic and international observers.

Before joining the Institute, Ms. Schultz designed and led successful national advocacy campaigns for non-profit organizations working principally on health and scientific research, and for interest groups representing physicians, nurses, alcohol/drug treatment providers and the research community. Among other efforts she helped overturn an attempt to strip all nonprofits of their right to lobby or educate Congress.

Ms. Schultz's civic advocacy experience was preceded and enhanced by a decade spent on Capitol Hill as professional staff to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, and as a legislative assistant to Sen. Quentin Burdick (D-N.D.) and Rep. William J. Hughes (D-N.J.). She was introduced to the worlds of both civic organizing and political activity at the National Women's Political Caucus, where she edited the newspaper, Women's Political Times.

Ms. Schultz is a graduate of Oberlin College.

NDI 2005 Annual Report

vrao — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

National Democratic Institute

Publisher:

National Democratic Institute

Published Date:

12/01/2005

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	6.23 MB

RNIM Observation Mission for the 2005 Presidential Election

vrao — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Publisher:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Published Date:

12/04/2005

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the release	43.76 KB

RNIM Post-Election Report of 2005 Presidential Election in Kazakhstan

vrao — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Publisher:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Published Date:

12/04/2005

Resource Type:

Report

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the report	63.33 KB

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations Press Release

vrao — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Publisher:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Published Date:

12/05/2005

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the release	22.37 KB

Preliminary Report of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) on the December 4, 2005 Presidential Election in Kazakhstan

vrao — Mon, 05 Dec 2005 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Publisher:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Published Date:

12/05/2005

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the statement	102.9 KB

International Observers Detained in Belarus on Way to Monitor Ukrainian Poll, ENEMO Also Notes Pressure From Kazakhstan on Obser

vrao — Mon, 27 Dec 2004 05:00:00 +0000

Author:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Publisher:

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO)

Published Date:

12/23/2004

Resource Type:

Press Release

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the release	111.29 KB

Preliminary Report on Monitoring of September 19, 2004, Elections to the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan

vrao — Mon, 27 Sep 2004 04:00:00 +0000

Author:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Publisher:

Republican Network of Independent Monitors (RNIM)

Published Date:

09/23/2004

Resource Type:

Statement

Language:

English

Attachment	Size
Read the statement	175.15 KB

NDI - Kazakhstan

NDI E-news: Women's Leadership, Zambia, Focus Group Research | October 2011

STAY CONNECTED

CONTRIBUTE

READ MORE

Importance of Authentic Elections and Unhindered Election Observation Stressed at OSCE Warsaw Meeting

At the opening plenary session of the Warsaw meeting. Photo by OSCE/Piotr Markowski

Women in Kazakhstan Seek Equality at Executive Levels

Vladimir Kozlov, leader of the Alga! Party, pledged to fill at least 30 percent of the party's candidate list with women

Freedom of Assembly Rights Limited in Kazakhstan, Study Finds

Freedom of Peaceful Assembly in Kazakhstan: Authorization Denied

Privacy Law Draws Debate and Criticism in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan

Read More

Citizen Participation

Nonpartisan Domestic Election Monitoring

Political Party Development

Contact Information

Amy Schultz

NDI 2005 Annual Report

RNIM Observation Mission for the 2005 Presidential Election

RNIM Post-Election Report of 2005 Presidential Election in Kazakhstan

European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations Press Release

Preliminary Report of the European Network of Election Monitoring Organizations (ENEMO) on the December 4, 2005 Presidential Election in Kazakhstan

International Observers Detained in Belarus on Way to Monitor Ukrainian Poll, ENEMO Also Notes Pressure From Kazakhstan on Obser

Preliminary Report on Monitoring of September 19, 2004, Elections to the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan