EU steadfast on resolution over imprisoned journalist

The European Parliament remains undeterred over Kazakh objections to a resolution last week calling for the release of Sergei Duvanov, a journalist jailed on disputed rape charges. The Brussels resolution also urged Astana to respect human rights. "The European Parliament stands by the terms of its resolution," David Harley, spokesman for the European Parliament told IRIN from the Belgian capital on Thursday. His comments follow criticism of the resolution by the Kazakhstan government, which according to a Reuters report on Wednesday described its contents as ‘biased’. "The Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan expresses its bewilderment by the recent European Parliament resolution on Kazakhstan," said a statement issued by state television and radio. "The document, adopted without any kind of broad discussion, is based on biased information," it added. "In view of the Republic of Kazakhstan, this resolution is not legally binding and runs counter to the Partnership and Cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan and the European Union." Commenting on the reaction, Harley said: "If the Kazakh authorities believe there are objective errors of fact contained in the resolution, we would be very grateful if they would let us know formally in writing. If however it’s a difference of political emphasis, we would also be ready to take up any kind of contact or dialogue with them at political and diplomatic levels." In its resolution last Thursday, the European Parliament criticised the "dubious circumstances" surrounding Duvanov’s arrest, calling for his release and an independent investigation. Additionally, the resolution also blasted Astana for failing to make torture an explicit offence in its criminal code. "The widespread practice of torture and other forms of cruel treatment by law enforcement officials persists," the resolution stated. Duvanov, a prominent 50-year-old editor of a human rights bulletin and critic of Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, was found guilty in January of raping a 14-year-old girl. The opposition said the charges were fabricated as part of a further crackdown on independent media in Central Asia’s largest state.