A musical and political evening to remember

Ben Robinson

Cellorhymics in concert at the Campaign Kazakhstan event, London 2 October 2012, photo Keith Dickinson (Click to enlarge)

Campaign Kazakhstan hosted a very impressive event in London on Tuesday 2 October. Its aim was to raise awareness and financial support for those who resist the attacks of the regime in Kazakhstan. 120 people attended and around £900 was raised to aid the families of those killed and injured during the state massacre in Zhanaozen on 16 December last year.

'Cellorhythmics' - a non-classical group featuring cellos, percussion, guitar, violin, harmonica and more - played their music to great acclaim from the audience. They also donated their recent CDs.

Short films were shown of the events in Zhanaozen and a recorded greeting from Paul Murphy MEP.

Zhainagul and Askar Aidarkhan, wife and son of Aron Atabek, read his poems at a concert organised by Campaign Kazakhstan, London 2 October 2012, photo Keith Dickinson (Click to enlarge)

Two poems by the imprisoned dissident writer Aron Atabek were performed in Russian and English. It was a great privilege to have Aron's son and wife, Askar and Zhainagul Aidarkhan at the concert reciting the poetry and giving short speeches to explain Aron's situation.

Aron Atabek was imprisoned for his role in the struggle in Shanrak - he was sentenced six years ago to 18 years.

Shanrak was an informal housing settlement built by poor migrant workers on the edge of Kazakhstan's de facto capital, Almaty.

The mayor at the time (2006) attempted to forcibly remove these homes with no provision of alternative accommodation - effectively making many families homeless.

Aron Atabek, alongside others including founding members of what is now the Socialist Movement Kazakhstan, helped organise the workers' resistance to this brutal demolition of housing.

Shortly after the victorious struggle, Aron was charged with 'inciting disorder'. He has remained in prison since with 12 years remaining to be served.

Alfia Nakipbekova of the Cellorhymics in concert at the Campaign Kazakhstan event, London 2 October 2012, photo Keith Dickinson

He has been kept in solitary confinement for the last two and a half years, been refused visits from Askar and Zhainagul and had his poetry stolen from him while in confinement.

Solitary confinement is defined as torture by the United Nations. The Kazakhstan regime has also threatened suffocation and rape to those workers charged with inciting events in Zhanaozen, a fact widely reported in the press.

Aron has refused to accept any talk of a pardon, as this is tantamount to an admission of guilt. He maintains his innocence.

Campaign Kazakhstan is calling for the stepping up of an international campaign for the release of Aron Atabek and the three other campaigners imprisoned alongside him on completely false charges.

Askar and Zhainagul along with Kazakh cellist, Alfia Nakipbekova, and Niall McDevitt of the International Times participated in a protest outside the Kazakhstan embassy on 5 October, to make clear that opposition will not go away.

We will pursue this issue until Aron and his co-defendants go free as well as the victimised oil workers of Zhanaozen and all political prisoners in Kazakhstan.

For videos of the concert and of the protest see

www.campaignkazakhstan.org

Campaign Kazakhstan protest in London 26 July 2012 against UK business links with the Kazakhstan regime, photo Dave Carr (Click to enlarge)

Special offer: Alfia Nakipbekova and Cellorhythmics CDs: "The Rise of the Celloretters" and "Heaven Eyes" £7 each or £10 for both albums. JS Bach: Six Cello Suites £10 or £15 for all three albums.

Proceeds to Campaign Kazakhstan!

Please add £1 p+p per CD. Make cheques and postal orders payable to Campaign Kazakhstan, PO Box 66682, London, E11 9ER and include a note with your address and which CDs you would like.

You can also pay online via paypal - use the donate facility on campaignkazakhstan.org website and email the details of your order to campaignkazakhstan@gmail.com

Why not click here to join the Socialist Party, or click here to donate to the Socialist Party.

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