Thailand: Final destination of plane with North Korean weapons still unknown

The US Helsinki Commission in recent months has been a frequent and vocal critic of Kazakhstan's record on human rights and democratization. But commission members gave an enthusiastic welcome to Kazakhstani Foreign Minister Kanat Saudabayev on February 2 during a Washington, DC, hearing marking the start of Kazakhstan's OSCE chairmanship.

Freedom House condemns the Kazakh government's failure to live up to its commitment to protect fundamental freedom of expression following the seizure of print runs from five independent newspapers. The seizure of papers occurred the very week that Kazakh foreign minister, Kanat Saudabayev, is in Washington speaking about Kazakhstan's commitment to democratic norms.

Kazakh protesters scuffled with police on Saturday at a rally against their government's burgeoning ties with neighbouring China.

Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev, ruler of Central Asia's largest energy producer two decades, plans to "test" the loyalty of all citizens in a bid to avoid any form of public protest.

A private foundation set up by billionaire financier George Soros on Tuesday urged Kazakhstan to free a jailed human rights defender, saying he was imprisoned in "an unfair trial".

As the Republic of Kazakhstan ascends to its year-long chairmanship of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2010, human rights and basic freedoms from Vilnius to Vladivostok will be faced with a curious challenge.

Astana has not fulfilled reform commitments made in connection with country's selection as OSCE chair

BALKHASH, Kazakhstan -- A deadly accident at a Soviet-era military base in central Kazakhstan has sparked concerns about people's exposure to toxic materials, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports.