A group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has appealed to Montenegrin authorities to urgently grant asylum to Kazakh activist Dinara Smailova.
In a statement, submitted by the NGO 35mm, they asked why Smailova, who has been living in self-imposed exile for years and has resided in Montenegro since 2023, has not yet been granted asylum.
"The history of her appeals during her stay in Montenegro shows that the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not respond adequately in this case, ignoring even a letter from the United Nations (UN), by not informing the Montenegrin judiciary about it," the statement said.
The NGO group recalled the letter the UN sent to the Government on August 20th last year.
"We wish to draw the Government's attention to information we have received regarding the alleged surveillance of Smailova and her husband Almat Mukhamedzhanov in Montenegro and the alleged risk of Smailova's extradition to Kazakhstan, where she allegedly faces criminal prosecution for her legitimate human rights work," the UN said in a letter to the Government.
The statement from the NGO group points out that, according to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, no person may return to a country where they are threatened with persecution for their political activities or struggle for human rights.
"We hope that in this case we are not witnessing pressure from the regime close to Russia's sphere of interest, but rather respect for international law and human freedoms," the statement said.
It is added that Smailova is known as a harsh critic of the authorities in Kazakhstan for their insufficient efforts to protect women and children from domestic and sexual violence.
"The charges against her in her homeland have been assessed by the international organization Human Rights Watch as suspicious and politically motivated," said a statement signed by six NGOs.
They said they expect reactions from the Ministries of Justice and Foreign Affairs.
"And we expect that Smail's status will be urgently reviewed and adequate protection will be provided to one of the bravest voices in the fight against violence," concludes the statement, which was signed by, in addition to 35mm, the European Movement and the Center for Monitoring and Research.
The statement was also signed by the NGOs Center for Civil Liberties, Balkan Sector, and Montenegrin Women's Lobby.
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