The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has issued a strong call to the Kazakh government, urging them to restore accreditation to 16 journalists from the US government-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL). This plea comes in light of a critical appeal hearing that is set to determine the future operations of RFE/RL in Kazakhstan.

Gulnoza, the CPJ's coordinator for Europe and Central Asia, emphasized the significance of RFE/RL's work in the region: "RFE/RL's bold reporting has an absolutely central place in Kazakhstan's media sphere, and we await with deep concern a court verdict that could dramatically hinder its work."

The conflict began when the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to process accreditation applications for the 16 journalists, including RFE/RL’s bureau chief, within the legally required two-month period. The ministry later justified its refusal by accusing the journalists of engaging in journalistic activities while their applications were pending—a situation created by the delayed processing.

Under the 2024 Law "On Mass Media," foreign media outlets and journalists are prohibited from operating without official accreditation. However, RFE/RL argues this law improperly targets their staff, who hold Kazakh citizenship, thus misapplying the statute meant to govern foreign entities and individuals.

This stance has been supported by Human Rights Watch (HRW), which condemned the Kazakh government's actions as a "blatant" attack on independent media. HRW highlighted that such actions breach Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects the rights to freedom of expression and to disseminate information freely.

As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that upholds the principles of free expression and the vital role of journalism in democracy. The outcome of RFE/RL's appeal could set a significant precedent for the treatment of journalists and media freedom in Kazakhstan.