Human Rights Action (HRA) and the Women's Rights Center (WRC) have called on the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP) to urgently decide on the asylum request of Kazakh activist Dina Smailova and to consider the worrying human rights situation in that country when awarding the award.
HRA and CŽP welcomed the decision of the Podgorica Higher Court to release Smailova, who was arrested in Montenegro on Monday on the basis of an international arrest warrant issued by Kazakhstan.
These non-governmental organizations (NGOs) recalled that criminal proceedings are underway in Kazakhstan against Smailova for alleged fraud related to the use of donations while she was in Georgia.
"She is a fighter against domestic violence and sexual abuse in Kazakhstan, the founder of the NeMolchiKZ Foundation (translated: No Silence), an organization that promotes the rights and freedoms of women, children, gender equality, and fights against discrimination and impunity," HRA and CŽP stated.
As they said, Smailova has been in Montenegro since October 2023, when she and her husband requested asylum due to political persecution in Kazakhstan.
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"HRA and CŽP expect the Ministry of Interior of Montenegro to urgently decide on Smailova's asylum request," the statement said.
It is stated that, according to a report by Amnesty International, Kazakhstan is cracking down on civil activists by turning them into political prisoners.
"That country has a bad reputation for respecting human rights, which creates serious suspicion that Smailova would be exposed to persecution, rather than a fair trial, if extradited," warned the HRA and the CŽP.
They stated that Smailova, if granted asylum, will not be extradited to Kazakhstan, although the extradition proceedings will continue at that country's request.
"We appeal to the competent Ministry of the Interior to consider the very worrying human rights situation in that Asian country when making a decision on asylum," the statement says.
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