Main content

Kazakhstan’s Living Gulags

The Soviet Gulag system is said to live on in Kazakhstan's jails where prisoners face daily torture and humiliation. Why do punishments from a bygone era still persist?

Kazakhstan was once home to the infamous Soviet forced labour camps which formed part of the Gulag. Today’s prison regime seems to be stuck in the country’s Soviet past, as inmates and human rights groups say there is widespread practise of daily torture and humiliation. Despite its poor human rights record, many developed nations, including Britain, are rapidly strengthening relations with oil rich Kazakhstan.

Â鶹Éç Central Asia Correspondent Rayhan Demytrie investigates echoes of the Gulag system in prisons today and finds out why punishments from a bygone era still persist.

(Image of prison rights campaigner Ruslan Asdoyev at the museum of political repression. Â鶹Éç Copyright)

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Sat 17 Aug 2013 18:06GMT

Rayhan Demytrie reports from the former Soviet state of Kazakhstan

Rayhan Demytrie reports from the former Soviet state of Kazakhstan
The Soviet Gulag system is said to live on in Kazakhstan's jails, the prison population are thought be facing’ daily torture, humiliation and and lawlessness.

The Museum of Political Repression in Karraganda, Kazakhstan

The Museum of Political Repression in Karraganda, Kazakhstan

Inside the cells and basement corridor of the museum. Despite its poor human rights record, many developed nations, including Britain, are rapidly strengthening relations with Kazakhstan.

Ìý

More photos can be seen in the gallery below.

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 Aug 2013 08:06GMT
  • Thu 15 Aug 2013 14:32GMT
  • Thu 15 Aug 2013 19:06GMT
  • Thu 15 Aug 2013 23:32GMT
  • Fri 16 Aug 2013 03:32GMT
  • Sat 17 Aug 2013 18:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes