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Public Foundation “Erkindik Qanaty” – report for 2025
*Images and illustrations were created using artificial intelligence technologies based on an original concept of the "Erkindik Qanaty" Public Foundation.
In 2025, the Erkindik Qanaty Foundation continued its systematic efforts to advance its mission and the core areas of work.
This year marked an important milestone in the organization’s institutional development. Building on ten years of experience, the Foundation reviewed and updated its mission, which has evolved three times since the organization was established.
In 2025 the Foundation adopted a new mission that defines its strategic direction for the coming years.
The Foundation’s mission is to promote the development of an open civil society through the advancement, respect for, and protection of human rights.
In line with this mission, the Foundation continued its work to protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms, support civic initiatives, and strengthen the role of civil society in Kazakhstan.
In 2025 the Erkindik Qanaty Public Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary!
This is an important milestone for our team and for everyone who has supported us throughout the years. Over the past decade, the Foundation has implemented dozens of human rights initiatives, including educational programs, research projects, monitoring missions, public awareness campaigns, and advocacy initiatives.
💡48 completed projects
👥 More than 25 000 participants
📢 Thousands of empowered voices
None of this would have been possible without you – our partners, observers, volunteers, experts, program participants, and everyone who shares our commitment to human rights, freedom, and justice.
We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past ten years and look to the future with confidence.
The years ahead hold new initiatives, stronger partnerships, and even greater opportunities to create positive change.
💡48 completed projects
👥 More than 25 000 participants
📢 Thousands of empowered voices
None of this would have been possible without you – our partners, observers, volunteers, experts, program participants, and everyone who shares our commitment to human rights, freedom, and justice.
We are proud of what we have accomplished over the past ten years and look to the future with confidence.
The years ahead hold new initiatives, stronger partnerships, and even greater opportunities to create positive change.
Personal data
Research on freedom of peaceful assemblies
Human rights training
HR HUB
Key achievements
Human Rights Hub
Throughout 2024–2025, the Human Rights Hub continued to fulfill one of its core missions by providing a space for civil society organizations, educational initiatives, journalists, researchers, and activists.
A defining principle of the Hub remains its commitment to providing the venue free of charge, which is particularly important for initiatives and organizations that lack the financial resources to rent paid facilities.
During the year, the Hub strengthened its long-term partnerships and established new collaborations. As a result, a diverse range of events were hosted that fostered networking and the growth of civil society. Many organizations used the Hub as a regular venue for weekly meetings, training sessions, workshops, and discussions, significantly expanding their capacity to carry out their work.
Since the project’s launch, more than 6,000 people have participated in Hub activities, demonstrating sustained public interest in human rights issues and strong demand for such initiatives.
Since the project’s launch, more than 6,000 people have participated in Hub activities, demonstrating sustained public interest in human rights issues and strong demand for such initiatives.
Participation remained consistently high throughout the four years of implementation, growing from 1,500 participants during the first year to over 2,000 in 2023–2024, with 1,671 participants taking part in activities during 2024–2025.
One of the Hub’s flagship initiatives is the human rights course (Platform 14/05), which has attracted hundreds of applications over the years and contributed to the development of young human rights advocates.
During 2024–2025, the course received 69 applications, from which 30 participants were selected. 22 participants successfully completed the program, gaining practical knowledge and skills in the field of human rights protection.
During 2024–2025, the course received 69 applications, from which 30 participants were selected. 22 participants successfully completed the program, gaining practical knowledge and skills in the field of human rights protection.
Regular meetings of human rights defenders held under the "On the Basis of Rights" initiative have made a significant contribution to the development of the human rights professional community.
Over the course of four years, 37 meetings were held involving more than 570 participants. During the 2024–2025 reporting period alone, 10 discussion meetings brought together 189 participants. The open format of these events helped expand the audience and engage new participants in the discussion of human rights agenda.
Over the course of four years, 37 meetings were held involving more than 570 participants. During the 2024–2025 reporting period alone, 10 discussion meetings brought together 189 participants. The open format of these events helped expand the audience and engage new participants in the discussion of human rights agenda.
The Hub also continued to strengthen its Kazakh-language track through the Quqygyna Qarai initiative, which organized 36 events involving more than 500 participants. During 2024–2025, 10 events attracted 133 participants, reflecting growing interest in discussing human rights issues in the Kazakh language and contributing to a more inclusive human rights discourse.
Creative and interactive learning formats remained an important component of the Hub’s activities.
Over the four-year period, MovieTun initiative organized 28 film screenings accompanied by discussions, attracting more than 400 participants. Meanwhile, the Game of Rights initiative engaged over 200 participants through interactive educational games, providing young people an informal way to explore human rights issues. In addition, the Hub continued to provide its facilities to numerous partner organizations and initiatives, substantially expanding the project’s overall reach.
During 2024–2025, more than 1,000 people participated in events organized by partner organizations at the Hub. They include QazEquality, MISK, Y-PEER, SOS Taldykol, Feminita, KMPA, Legal Media Center, Research Center Sange, LB Keshter, Paperlab, the International Research Center Gradient, Angels of Freedom, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Myqty Women.
Creative and interactive learning formats remained an important component of the Hub’s activities.
Over the four-year period, MovieTun initiative organized 28 film screenings accompanied by discussions, attracting more than 400 participants. Meanwhile, the Game of Rights initiative engaged over 200 participants through interactive educational games, providing young people an informal way to explore human rights issues. In addition, the Hub continued to provide its facilities to numerous partner organizations and initiatives, substantially expanding the project’s overall reach.
During 2024–2025, more than 1,000 people participated in events organized by partner organizations at the Hub. They include QazEquality, MISK, Y-PEER, SOS Taldykol, Feminita, KMPA, Legal Media Center, Research Center Sange, LB Keshter, Paperlab, the International Research Center Gradient, Angels of Freedom, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the Republic of Kazakhstan, and Myqty Women.
Over the past four years, the Human Rights Hub has established itself as a sustainable platform for strengthening civil society, bringing together thousands of participants, experts and civic initiatives committed to advancing human rights.
Election observation
The Erkindik Qanaty Foundation (EQ) has been carrying out systematic election observation activities since 2016, monitoring national elections and referendums. Over the past ten years, the EQ team has not missed a single nationwide election or referendum.
In addition to organizing independent election observation missions, EQ has consistently worked to promote the right to participate in public affairs through election observation and broader engagement with the electoral process through the next steps:
In addition to organizing independent election observation missions, EQ has consistently worked to promote the right to participate in public affairs through election observation and broader engagement with the electoral process through the next steps:
One of EQ’s key priorities in 2025 was the development of a comprehensive long-term election observation methodology for Kazakhstan, implemented with financial support from the NED.
The need for such a methodology has been increasingly apparent. In practice, Kazakhstan’s civil society has often found itself in a reactive "catching up" position with regard to election observation, since active engagement in the electoral process typically begins only after the elections have been officially announced via the relevant decree, particularly in the case of early election campaigns.
This significantly limits opportunities to comprehensively assess the pre-election environment, including the political and legal context, the activities of state institutions, political parties, prospective candidates, the media, and other factors affecting citizens’ electoral rights.
In this context, the development of a long-term observation methodology aims to establish a more systematic and proactive approach to electoral monitoring.
This methodology will enable civil society to begin observation not merely at the official start of the campaign, but significantly earlier—during the stages of formation of political environment, decision-making, legislative changes, the registration of participants, and public information efforts.
The development of this tool represents an important step toward strengthening independent election observation, improving the quality of electoral analysis, and enhancing civil society’s role in protecting citizens’ right to participate in public affairs.
The need for such a methodology has been increasingly apparent. In practice, Kazakhstan’s civil society has often found itself in a reactive "catching up" position with regard to election observation, since active engagement in the electoral process typically begins only after the elections have been officially announced via the relevant decree, particularly in the case of early election campaigns.
This significantly limits opportunities to comprehensively assess the pre-election environment, including the political and legal context, the activities of state institutions, political parties, prospective candidates, the media, and other factors affecting citizens’ electoral rights.
In this context, the development of a long-term observation methodology aims to establish a more systematic and proactive approach to electoral monitoring.
This methodology will enable civil society to begin observation not merely at the official start of the campaign, but significantly earlier—during the stages of formation of political environment, decision-making, legislative changes, the registration of participants, and public information efforts.
The development of this tool represents an important step toward strengthening independent election observation, improving the quality of electoral analysis, and enhancing civil society’s role in protecting citizens’ right to participate in public affairs.
EQ hopes that its long-term election observation methodology will become a practical resource for civil society organizations seeking to organize and implement their own independent election observation missions.
EQ’s methodology promotes a proactive approach to election observation by shifting the focus from the election day alone to the entire electoral process.
Long-term observation encompasses every stage of the electoral cycle, including the nomination and registration of political party lists and individual candidates, the election campaigns, media coverage, election-related judicial proceedings, and legislative analysis.
It is important that elections are assessed not only on the conduct of voting on election day, but also on whether the entire electoral process is transparent, fair, and consistent with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the international commitments that Kazakhstan has voluntarily undertaken.
Long-term observation encompasses every stage of the electoral cycle, including the nomination and registration of political party lists and individual candidates, the election campaigns, media coverage, election-related judicial proceedings, and legislative analysis.
It is important that elections are assessed not only on the conduct of voting on election day, but also on whether the entire electoral process is transparent, fair, and consistent with the Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the international commitments that Kazakhstan has voluntarily undertaken.
«Guardians of personal data»
In 2025 EQ conducted Kazakhstan’s first study on personal data (PD) protection in the non-governmental sector. The research aimed to assess current data protection practices among NGOs, identify systemic challenges, and develop practical recommendations for improving personal data security.
As part of the study, 111 non-governmental organizations were surveyed and a series of focus groups were formed to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers NGOs face when working personal data.
As part of the study, 111 non-governmental organizations were surveyed and a series of focus groups were formed to gain a deeper understanding of the barriers NGOs face when working personal data.
The research identified several key factors contributing to the sector’s vulnerability, including limited staff expertise, insufficient technical and financial resources to ensure adequate data security, and the complexity of existing legal requirements. The study also highlighted that NGOs are subject to the same administrative liability, including financial penalties for data protection violations, as commercial organizations, despite the significant differences in capacity and resources.
Results: based on the findings, the Foundation developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for both government authorities and the NGO sector aimed at strengthening personal data protection practices. The results of the study were presented to representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, and international organizations.
This project was implemented within the framework of the “Civil Society for Kazakhstan” initiative, carried out by the "Institute for War & Peace Reporting" (IWPR) in partnership with the "Institute of National and International Development Initiatives" (INMIR) Public Foundation, with financial support from the European Union.
Results: based on the findings, the Foundation developed a comprehensive set of recommendations for both government authorities and the NGO sector aimed at strengthening personal data protection practices. The results of the study were presented to representatives of government institutions, civil society organizations, diplomatic missions, and international organizations.
This project was implemented within the framework of the “Civil Society for Kazakhstan” initiative, carried out by the "Institute for War & Peace Reporting" (IWPR) in partnership with the "Institute of National and International Development Initiatives" (INMIR) Public Foundation, with financial support from the European Union.
Judicial cases
In 2025, the Erkindik Qanaty Foundation independently initiated and provided legal support in a number of cases concerning the protection of constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms.
Peaceful assemblies
As part of its work to protect the right to peaceful assembly, EQ initiated 3 legal cases seeking access to information regarding the occupancy of designated venues for peaceful assemblies in the cities of Shymkent, Pavlodar, and Petropavl.
Peaceful assemblies
As part of its work to protect the right to peaceful assembly, EQ initiated 3 legal cases seeking access to information regarding the occupancy of designated venues for peaceful assemblies in the cities of Shymkent, Pavlodar, and Petropavl.
EQ also provided legal assistance in 7 cases challenging unlawful refusals to authorize peaceful assemblies in the cities of Astana, Aktobe, Pavlodar, and Petropavl.
In one of these cases, the court in Astana ruled that the actions of the Akimat (local executive authority) were unlawful. The judgment entered into legal force and following this decision, an attempt was made to seek compensation for non-pecuniary damage through civil proceedings, on the grounds of unlawful refusal to authorize a peaceful assembly and the consequent violation the claimant’s constitutional right to freedom of assembly.
«The registry list of foreign agents»
In 2025, EQ continued to provide legal accompanying support in a case concerning the attempted removal of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the so-called “Foreign agents register list.”
The case was heard by the both instances of appeal and cassation.
The right to participate in public affairs through election observation
In 2025, EQ submitted 2 applications to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the protection of election observers’ rights and the implementation of citizens’ right to participate in the conduct of public affairs through independent election observation.
In one of these cases, the court in Astana ruled that the actions of the Akimat (local executive authority) were unlawful. The judgment entered into legal force and following this decision, an attempt was made to seek compensation for non-pecuniary damage through civil proceedings, on the grounds of unlawful refusal to authorize a peaceful assembly and the consequent violation the claimant’s constitutional right to freedom of assembly.
«The registry list of foreign agents»
In 2025, EQ continued to provide legal accompanying support in a case concerning the attempted removal of a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan from the so-called “Foreign agents register list.”
The case was heard by the both instances of appeal and cassation.
The right to participate in public affairs through election observation
In 2025, EQ submitted 2 applications to the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan concerning the protection of election observers’ rights and the implementation of citizens’ right to participate in the conduct of public affairs through independent election observation.
The final statistics
In 2025, EQ’s work on judicial and constitutional protection included:
Under the Administrative Procedure and Process Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- 10 cases before courts of first instance;
- 2 appellate proceedings;
- 1 cassation proceeding.
Under the Civil Procedure Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- 1 case before a court of first instance.
Before the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan:
- 2 applications.
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The web-site reflects information on human rights activities launched by PF Wings of Liberty in 2015, aimed at human rights education.
Use of ErkindikQanaty.kz materials - only with a link to the resource.
The web-site reflects information on human rights activities launched by PF Wings of Liberty in 2015, aimed at human rights education.
Use of ErkindikQanaty.kz materials - only with a link to the resource.
HR Hub - a training room is available from 10:00 to 19:00
Sunday is a weekend.
Sunday is a weekend.
Office 17, 14 floor
8, Kenesary Street,
Astana (Nur-Sultan)
8, Kenesary Street,
Astana (Nur-Sultan)
+7 7172 76 00 00
The opinion of the speakers and the topics of the events held at HR Hub may not reflect the official position of the Foundation.
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