Watchdog

A top UN rights official has commended Kazakhstan for its "high degree of inter-ethnic and inter-religious cooperation and tolerance," but says a "number of issues" of concern remain.

Gay J. McDougall, the UN's independent expert on minority issues, released a statement at the end of a nine-day official visit to the country.

She is due to present a report to the UN Human Rights Council in March, "concentrating on aspects ranging from minority representation at the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan and political participation, to minority language issues, education, and religion."

In her preliminary findings, McDougall pointed out that "it would greatly enhance the potential and legitimacy of the Assembly if members were elected by each minority group directly, and without reference to the cultural associations which are themselves not based on a principle of representativeness."

The government is establishing Kazakh as the official state language, and McDougall urged sensitivity to ensure that the policy "does not unduly impact upon the rights and opportunities of those communities and sectors of society that might require additional assistance, time and resources to gain proficiency."

McDougall also urged the government "to engage in a wide-ranging dialogue with 'nontraditional' religious groups about ways to guarantee their full rights and freedoms."

Kyrgyz Deputy Interior Minister Sabyrbek Kurmanaliev says that a policeman has confessed to beating a journalist in the southern Osh region who later died from his injuries, RFE/RL's Kyrgyz Service reports.

Almaz Tashiev, 32, was buried on July 13 in the Nookat district.

He died the previous day from massive internal injuries suffered during a beating in Nookat on July 4.

Kurmanaliev said a criminal case of hooliganism has been opened against the policeman, whose name was not given.

The police had previously denied they were involved in Tashiev's beating.

Tashiev told RFE/RL in an interview in the hospital that he had been assaulted by police at the Nookat district police station.

Prominent human rights activist Aziza Abdyrasulova, head of the NGO Torch of the Century, told RFE/RL that opening a criminal case on hooliganism charges is too lenient and that the officer should be charged with abuse of power and murder.

Kyrgyz human rights organizations have urged authorities to thoroughly investigate the case.