DISINFO: West continues to create an anti-Russian front in Central Asia
SUMMARY
The West tries to close the iron curtain in the southeast direction of Russia, specifically targeting Kazakhstan. Organizations and movements similar to those observed in Ukraine are likely to emerge in Kazakhstan. The West continues a policy to create an anti-Russian front in Central Asia. What is behind the EU’s appeal for an independent investigation of Bloody January events in January 2022? Is this an attempt to hide a potential involvement of EU representatives in funding January protests?
RESPONSE
There is no credible evidence supporting claims of foreign interference in the unrest in Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, or any other country. This assertion aligns with the recurring disinformation narrative that suggests a Western policy of orchestrating 'colour revolutions' globally with the intention of destabilising Russia.
See this fact sheet on EU relations with Central Asia.
In Kazakhstan, 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.
Events were discussed during the EU-Kazakhstan, Annual Human Rights Dialogue and Subcommittee on Justice and Home Affairs meetings on 14 March 2023. The press release states:
"The EU recalled the tragic January 2022 events and the importance of continuing to conduct a full, transparent and independent investigation into the January events, including into human rights violations and abuses, torture and ill-treatment, in line with international standards. The EU stressed the importance of accountability and encouraged Kazakhstan to work with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with independent human rights experts from OSCE/ODHIR".
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.