Kazakhstan: Vaccination campaign proceeds at snail’s pace Only 0.25 percent of the population aged over 15 have had the first injection. Joanna Lillis Mar 11, 2021
Protest, prison and politics: The making of an activist in Kazakhstan “I did not serve four-and-a-half years in prison to come out and keep quiet.” Joanna Lillis Feb 26, 2021
Kazakhstan: Authorities punish NGOs that called out vote irregularities Advocacy groups say this pressure shows the authorities are not serious about political reform. Joanna Lillis Jan 20, 2021
Kazakhstan: Civil society complains of pre-election pressure Authorities have decided to inspect their tax returns just before parliamentary elections. Joanna Lillis Dec 7, 2020
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev-linked billionaire sucked into UK court battle The surprise asset freeze has sparked speculation of possible elite infighting. Joanna Lillis Dec 2, 2020
Kazakhstan: Too close for comfort in the age of coronavirus Officials concede their exhortations to maintain social distance have had little impact. Joanna Lillis Aug 17, 2020
Kazakhstan: Grieving families count human cost of coronavirus Families of the dead blame corruption for undermining the healthcare service, and the government for failing to prepare in earlier stages of the pandemic. Joanna Lillis Jul 20, 2020
Kazakhstan’s Dungan community stunned by spasm of deadly bloodletting Eyewitnesses told Eurasianet that mobs of Kazakhs attacked the village from two sides, armed with stones, metal bars and firearms. Joanna Lillis Feb 10, 2020
Kazakhstan: The mothers that became the faces of dissent Government critics argue that the ruling has transformed the protestors, three of whom are mothers of young children, into political martyrs. Joanna Lillis Nov 21, 2019
Who really is Kazakhstan’s leader of the nation? The consensus among Kazakhstan watchers is that the former president is trying to contain his successor. Joanna Lillis Oct 25, 2019
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev takes back control The surprise move appears to confirm talk of a power struggle. Joanna Lillis Oct 21, 2019
Kazakhstan: Intimidation rules as authorities seek to control the message Press freedom campaigners say that Kazakhstan’s reporting environment has “drastically turned to the worse” since the new president came to power. Joanna Lillis Aug 11, 2019
Kazakhstan's financial capital in lockdown as scores of protesters detained The Almaty demos were held hours after Tokayev was inaugurated as president. Joanna Lillis Jun 12, 2019
Kazakhstan: Waking up to reform Kazakhstan is entering a virgin territory of political confrontation. A newly formed collective of youthful activists hopes to lead the way. Joanna Lillis Jun 11, 2019
Kazakhstan: Voting day marred by mass detentions Eurasianet correspondent Chris Rickleton was among many journalists detained by police. Joanna Lillis, Danil Usmanov Jun 9, 2019
Kazakhstan and its presidential election: A new chapter or more of the same? Ahead of the election this weekend, where the winner is a foregone conclusion, we held a Q&A with our experienced team on the ground. Joanna Lillis, Almaz Kumenov, Chris Rickleton, Aliya Uteuova Jun 7, 2019
Desert marathon spotlights Kazakhstan’s fragile ecosystem The setting for the run, between two natural wonders near the Chinese border, was a stark reminder of how much this country has to lose. Joanna Lillis May 24, 2019
Kazakhstan: Press freedom missing from agenda of media talking shop While media gurus chat, the internet has taken a dive Joanna Lillis May 23, 2019
Kazakhstan: Tackling obesity among generation junk food Kazakhstan’s poorer neighbors are feeling the weight of this problem too. Joanna Lillis May 10, 2019
Kazakhstan allows opposition candidate to run in election, while nabbing democracy activists Commentators will be watching to see if Kosanov tones down his attacks on the powers-that-be. Joanna Lillis May 6, 2019
Kazakhstan: Anti-government rallies signal emboldened protest mood Frustrations have been bolstered by perceptions that crucial national decisions are being made without the general population being consulted. Joanna Lillis May 1, 2019
Kazakhstan: Tokayev gets nod for presidential run in choreographed contest The jailing of activists confirms Kazakhstan’s zero-tolerance attitude toward dissent during the political transition. Joanna Lillis Apr 23, 2019
Kazakhstan: Judge’s complaint alarms legal profession Gulnara Zhuaspayeva says she is being punished for her work taking on politically sensitive cases. Joanna Lillis Apr 2, 2019
Kazakhstan: Tokayev reign begins with arrests Demonstrators called for something new. Police showed them something old, by detaining them. Joanna Lillis Mar 22, 2019
Kazakhstan: A president called Tokayev. A future called Nursultan The new president is more conformist apparatchik than reformer. He is also eminently presentable. Joanna Lillis Mar 20, 2019
