DISINFO: The West wants to destabilise Kazakhstan using anti-Russian sentiments
SUMMARY
The theme of political protest, especially characterised by anti-Russian and anti-Chinese sentiment, serves as a prime instrument for the West to exert political pressure on Astana and delegitimise regimes it deems undesirable.
Examples include solidarity campaigns for Kazakh prisoners in Chinese labour camps, widespread promotion of themes such as "genocide," "Holodomor," and the urgent need for "decolonisation" in Kazakhstan, as well as highlighting "repression" against civil activists, violations of freedom of speech, and rights of religious and sexual minorities.
Currently, the internal potential for mass political protests is limited, but there are active attempts to cultivate this potential and destabilise Kazakhstan at any cost. In January 2022, such an endeavour failed at a significant expense, leading Astana to draw lessons. However, the pressure is starting to mount once more.
RESPONSE
A mix of pro-Kremlin disinformation narratives about the West’s allegedly belligerent and hostile agenda against Russia, and its alleged plans to destabilise and encircle Russia (and China). This claim also aligns with the recurring disinformation narrative suggesting a Western policy of orchestrating 'colour revolutions' worldwide.
There is no credible evidence to support the claim about a foreign interference of any kind in the protests in Central Asia or any other country or region.
In January 2022, peaceful protests against rising liquid gas prices led to nationwide protests against economic inequality. The protests descended into riots, and prompted a massive security response from the government, including a “shoot to kill” order and the unprecedented deployment of forces from the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The crackdown included internet shutdowns, a massive wave of arrests and arbitrary detentions.
The EU and US recognizes the importance of the sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the Central Asian States, individually and as a region. Tackling common security challenges and building region’s resilience are among priority strands for the EU-Central Asia and US-Central Asia partnerships.
See this fact sheet on EU relations with Central Asia
See other examples of similar disinformation narratives in our database, such as claims that the West plans to destabilise Central Asia, US-sponsored Kazakhstan protests aimed to undermine CIS stability, that protests in Kazakhstan are a new Western attempt to organise a colour revolution, that events in Kazakhstan are another Western-made colour revolution or that EU and US aim to generate a new wave of anti-government protests in Belarus.