The Kazakhstan authorities should withdraw the unfounded and abusive disbarment proceedings begun this week against prominent Kazakh defence lawyer Daniyar Kanafin, the ICJ said today.
The attempt to annul Mr Kanafin’s licence to practice follows public comments in which he criticised the Kazakh law on state secrets as contrary to international law. The National Security Committee has sought his disbarment on the grounds that these comments create a negative image of the Government and of Kazakh legislation in the eyes of the international community.
Kazakhstan-ICJ calls for withdrawal of disbarment proceedings-Press Release-2009-Eng (full text, PDF)
Kazakhstan-ICJ calls for withdrawal of disbarment proceedings-Press Release-2009-Rus (full text, PDF)