Markus Löning, Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy, is travelling to Kazakhstan from 2 to 7 September, where he will hold talks and gain a first-hand impression of the political and human rights situation in the country. To this end, he will travel to Astana and Almaty. In addition, Löning will fly to Aktau and Zhanaozen to get an idea of the criminal proceedings in connection with the violent crushing of protests by oil workers in December 2011.

His agenda includes talks with government representatives, parliamentarians, members of civil society and non-governmental organizations as well ashuman rights advocates. Markus Löning will also visit a prison in Aktau.