On 16 December 2011, striking oil workers and bystanders were gunned down by the police and special forces in Zhanaozen in Kazakhstan.
During his recent visit to Kazakhstan, the families and survivors of the massacre asked NIPSA President, Patrick Mulholland, if NIPSA would hold a solidarity vigil to commemorate the slaughter. Patrick was invited to visit Kazakhstan by ODAK (an independent Trade Union) to meet trade unionists and learn of the struggles of the Kazakhstan workers. During the visit he met with workers in Zhanaozen and was able to gather first-hand knowledge about the massacre which was largely ignored by the western media. NIPSA’s action to mark the event will be replicated across Europe.
The Zhanaozen vigil will take place on Sunday, 16 December 2012 at the front of Belfast City Hall from 1.00 pm – 1.30 pm.
