The efforts Kazakhstan has made to turn the country around economically need to be applied to human rights and democracy issues as well.

That’s according to UN Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai who recently completed an official visit to the central Asian country.

He said the Government’s approach to regulating peaceful assemblies was one of the most pressing issues.

Mr Kiai also visited Zhanaozen, where clashes between police and protesters in 2011 led to the deaths of at least 14 people.

Nikola Krastev has been speaking to the human rights expert.

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