Kazakhstan takes over OSCE chair despite criticism

Kazakhstan on Friday became the first former Soviet republic to hold the chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), even as sceptics questioned its fitness to head a group dedicated to democracy and human rights.
Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev, upon taking over the OSCE reins from Greece, spoke of an "historic mission" during a speech in the Kazakh capital of Astana. He also said being granted the position indicated international recognition for Kazakhstan's position in the world.
But groups like Human Rights Watch immediately faulted the country for its commitment to OSCE principles, specifically due to the continuing imprisonment of government critic Yevgeni Shovtis. Shovtis received a four-year jail sentence in September after a traffic accident that left one dead. The OSCE criticised the proceedings for lack of transparency and for what it called an excessive sentence.