Category Archives: Transhuman News

The numbers behind the worlds shifting demographics are at times difficult to comprehend. Human life expectancy has boomed since the industrial times, doubling between 1900 and 2000. Scientists predict that more than half of babies born in rich countries today will live to be 100.

However, declining birth rates around the world means that there are currently more people over the age of 60 than children under the age of 5. In fact, according to the WHO, over the next 30 years, the proportion of the worlds population over 60 years will nearly double from 12% to 22%.

Current retirement and pension systems are not equipped for the reality of unprecedented longevity and shifting work and health outcomes. Neither are most peoples life plans. The Stanford Center on Longevity recently suggested that the 30 extra years of life people are living should be seen as a dividend that can be strategically distributed across all stages of life.

We need to be similarly imaginative in creating new and improved policies that will address the changing financial needs of all citizens over the course of a 100-year life.

This break in the traditional societal norm of going to school, building a career, and then retiring is already happening for millions of workers around the world. People might decide to take a break from work in order to raise children, care for sick relatives, or go back to school, even in mid-life, to learn a new skill so they can advance in or change their career. They might work gig jobs and work on demand, or choose freelance work that lets them set their own schedule.

As workers age, some have no desire to retire; they still feel healthy and productive, they may not want to give up the sense of community they have at a workplace, and their jobs perhaps dont have the physical demands that make continuing indefinitely impossible. Others will want a phased retirement and continue to work several days a week, while still others will be looking forward to a more traditional, and traditionally timed, full retirement..

Our different ways of working, living, and spending has made the one-size-fits-all retirement plans of the past, where money is saved up to be spent in the later years of life, neither feasible nor practical. Many people will want to spend that money during one of the aforementioned transitions perhaps, or for other reasons that today may be seen as a career interruption but will someday be considered part of the regular ebb and flow of a long, productive life.

The need to address changing demographics and the financial implications they encompass is an issue that knows no border. Every country will be dealing with this reality in the coming decades and we will need multi-stakeholder solutions to be prepared.

What should we be asking of our leaders and of ourselves to help people stay financially resilient as they live longer lives?

Policymakers: Be more innovative. Help people create better savings plans that make sense for the way we live and work in the 21st century. The pension plans from the last century will not work anymore.

Private sector: Be more inclusive and equitable. Make financial products for all of society, not just the wealthy. Gig workers, stay-at-home moms, and lower-income workers all need savings options. Update your financial literacy plans for this new demographic reality.

Individuals: Be bolder. This is the time to rethink everything. Dont be afraid to pivot and change careers or learn a new skill. There are thousands of courses, certificates, and degrees that can be obtained online at very low cost.

Society: Be kinder. Stop promoting ageist stereotypes that depict this demographic change as a problem. A longer lifespan with more choices in how we fill it is a privilege. Whatever challenge it presents to our long-held beliefs or established systems for things like retirement saving is also an opportunity to expand our sense of whats possible for ourselves and for policies covering practical needslike a better savings plan for all citizens for the next century.

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Retirement savings policies need an innovative update - Quartz

Let's chat about our primary detoxification organ: the liver. Without the liver optimally converting toxins into compounds that can be easily eliminated, those toxins can make a detour and set up shop in the brain, nerves, glands, and other tissues in the body. Left unchecked, that stresses the body unnecessarily and has health implications down the road.

However, with a holistic approach to healthy food and lifestyle choices, we can fully support detoxification in the liver and throughout the body. One of the ways to do this is upping our bodies' antioxidant network and activity.*

When toxins enter the liver, many are biotransformed into water-soluble compounds so they can be excreted via urine. (Fat-soluble ones go out via bile and then on out with our bowel movements). Free radicals are a byproduct of these processes, and the liver relies on antioxidants to neutralize these free radicals and maintain redox balance.* Without homeostasis between oxidants and antioxidants, the liver experiences oxidative stress, and that can mean less optimal conversion and elimination of toxins.*

While getting antioxidants through diet is always a great way to support whole-body longevity, cellular resilience, and, yesdetoxification, there are certain antioxidants like glutathione that are not as bioavailable in dietary sources. That's why we decided to create a premium, antioxidant-rich, glutathione-centered supplement that supports detoxification in the liver and throughout the whole body.*

mindbodygreen's daily detox+ comprehensively supports daily cellular, organ, and whole-body cleanup activities for active detoxification, which is a 24/7 affair.* Master antioxidant glutathione is the leader of this cleanup crew, cruising tissues to help clear toxins and restore equilibrium.*

In addition to delivering specific detoxifying actions in their own right, the four additional bioactives promote the master antioxidant (glutathione) by increasing its production (milk thistle), bolstering its body stores (vitamin C), helping activate its enzymes (selenium), and supporting its regeneration (NAC).*Talk about a 360-degree detox design.

This innovative, detox-supporting formula delivers daily, "boots-on-the-ground" actions against free radicals to combat oxidative stress and promote whole-body health benefitsand wellness experts can't get enough.*

See what leading experts in longevity, detoxification, beauty, and nutrition have to say about leveraging daily detox+ to boost antioxidant activity and buffer against daily biological and environmental stressors.*

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Longevity & Beauty Experts Adore This Antioxidant-Rich Supplement - mindbodygreen.com

Neuromagen Plans to Submit an IND for a First-in-Human Clinical Study of AGS-499 for ALS by 2023

BEER-SHEVA, Israel, March 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Neuromagen Pharma Ltd., a company developing a new class of drugs for the treatment of degenerative and senescence-associated diseases, announced today the approval by the Israel Innovation Authority (IIA) of a NIS 1.3 million grant (75% of an approved budget of NIS 1.8 million; ~$500,000). The program may be eligible for a 2nd year funding of up to NIS 3.5 million under the "women-entrepreneurs" incentive plan. The IIA funds will be used towards advancing AGS-499, Neuromagen's lead drug candidate to IND submission and to first-in-human clinical trials which are expected during 2024.

Neuromagen is developing a family of patent protected small molecule activators of telomerase reverse transcriptase a key aging related enzyme which is associated with longevity and senescence. AGS-499, the lead drug candidate, demonstrated outstanding neurogenesis and neuroprotective effects by delaying the onset and the progression of ALS in the hSOD1-G93A Tg mouse model, as well as in neuronal cells derived from ALS patients.

Prof. Esther Priel, Founder and CTO of Neuromagen said: "We are very happy to be receiving the IIA support. The IIA R&D Fund is a very competitive program. These grants are approved following a rigorous and comprehensive professional assessment of our technological innovation, demonstrated preclinical efficacy, workplan and budget, business potential, as well as to our team's ability to execute the workplan". Gil Ben-Menachem, Neuromagen's Founder & CEO added: "In addition to the financial support, the IIA grant approval serves as a mark of quality for our science and our team. The funding will enable us to advance the development of AGS-499 towards first-in-human clinical trials during 2024".

The company will provide an overview of its technology and drug pipeline at the upcoming sixteenth annual BIO-Europe Spring partnering conference.

About Neuromagen Pharma

Neuromagen Pharma is an early-stage pharmaceutical company developing a new class of innovative small molecules which activate telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) an enzyme which plays a major role in aging-related diseases and in cellular senescence. Neuromagen's pipeline includes drugs for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer's, type 1 diabetes, fertility, and cardiovascular diseases.

For further Details please visit Neuromagen.com

Media Contact: media@neuromagen.com

Company Contact: Daniella@neuromagen.com

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SOURCE Neuromagen Pharma Ltd.

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Neuromagen Pharma Announces the Approval of a NIS 1.8M Budget from the Israel Innovation Authority R&D Fund Incentive Program - BioSpace

Austin screamed as Shawn Mendesrealized his power Saturday night, as South by Southwest Music Festival came to a close.

Mendes, who rose to fame on Vine and is only 23 years old, put on a part-pop-part-rock show at Moody Amphitheater in Waterloo Park. A line wrapped around the park well before doors opened at 7 p.m. The show was open to SXSW badge-holders and members of the general public who scored tickets.

Staff at the show told us they had not seen the line look like that in the past two days of shows at Waterloo Park; Thursday's show featured rappers Gunna and Young Thugand Friday's starred Kygo.

On Saturday, DJ YRWVY and Colombian singerSebastin Yatra went on before Mendes. The crowd already was excited, but everything changed when Mendes arrived.

The lights went down right at 9:30 p.m. and smoke shot off from the stage. And then there was Mendes, in black jeans and a white shirt, buttons undone, with a white tank underneath.

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The screams, oh, the screams. It was as if Mendes had announced universal healthcare or an end to the 40-hour workweek. The reaction to the pop star who is really, very cute was giddy. At one point in the show, he took the long button-down off to just wear the tank, and even we were screaming.

Mendes kicked off the show with "Wonder," "If I Can't Have You," and "Call My Friends." Underneath all that boy-band charm is a hugely talented performer. He sang and played piano, acoustic guitar and electric guitar.

He displayedthe suave style of a more seasoned artist. His voice was strong and smooth, and he hit all the high notes with ease.

If at any point in the showMendes wanted to stop singing, he could have. The crowd knew every word to every song, only pausing to scream when Mendes threw a guitar pick or brushed his hair back.

SXSW 2022: The only Ukrainian artist wants world to know about 'genocide' of Russian war

We enjoyed his slowed-down version of "Seorita," the song casual listeners were mostlikely familiar with, a duetwith ex-girlfriendCamila Cabello. He sat at the piano for the song.

Throughout his set, Mendes grinned every time he realized the audience knew the words to yet another song.

"This feels like the first time I've really been able to connect and hear people sing back songs in two or three years," he said. "Thank you for singing.You guys sound awesome."

At the beginning of "305," Mendes brought a girl up from the crowd to sing with him. He asked if she knew the words. She said, "Yeah, I do," but her face said, "Duh." Was she a plant? We don't care. The whole thing was very sweet and added to our new stan-dom for Mendes.

MORE: Dolly Parton came to SXSW, rhinestoned the blockchain and gave Austin an eternal memory

Mendes closed out the show with "When You're Gone" and "In My Blood" and did not return for an encore, despite the screams for one more song. (Our screams among them.)

He had the power of a boy band but without all the extra boys. We also think he'll have longevity that, unfortunately for the human population, 'N SYNC did not have.

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Shawn Mendes helps close out SXSW with the power of a one-man boy band - Austin American-Statesman

It's no secret that our gut plays a vital role in our overall health and is linked to our immune system and brain, which has a direct negative impact on our general well-being if we don't have a healthy gut. "A healthy gut is foundational to the health of the entire body because it is where 70-80% of our immune system resides. The microbes in the gut also play critical roles in regulating our metabolism, mood, and mental health, and, of course, digestion," Dr. Sunjya K. Schweig, MD, an expert in complex chronic illnesses with California Center for Functional Medicine tells Eat This, Not That! Health. Harvard Health stated, "The brain has a direct effect on the stomach and intestines. For example, the very thought of eating can release the stomach's juices before food gets there. This connection goes both ways. A troubled intestine can send signals to the brain, just as a troubled brain can send signals to the gut. Therefore, a person's stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. That's because the brain and the gastrointestinal (GI) system are intimately connected." Having an unhealthy gut doesn't just cause digestive issues, but other health concerns like thyroid issues, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and type 1 diabetes. ETNT! Health spoke with Dr. Shomir Banarjee, a board-certified physician with Paloma Health who explained how to help heal unhealthy gut signs to watch out for. Read onand to ensure your health and the health of others, don't miss these Sure Signs You've Already Had COVID.

Dr. Banarjee tells us, "An unhealthy gut is one that has an overabundance of bad bacteria. Surprisingly, there are more organisms in the human digestive tract than cells in the entire body. The human gut is home to trillions of bacteria and fungi that help us digest food and also support other body processes. A healthy gut is made of mostly good bacteria that help us break down food and work together with our immune system to prevent pathogens from entering our bloodstream. When harmful bacteria are allowed to proliferate in the gut (which often occurs due to poor diet or exposure to pathogens from our food), the healthy bacteria get wiped out."

Dr. Banarjee says, "Our digestive health is really reflective in every body system. As a consequence, there are so many different ways our bodies tell us that we have an unhealthy gut. Everything from fatigue, depression or low mood, skin problems, sore muscles and joints, and even the presence of autoimmune conditions can all be signs that something is not well within the gut. Of course, there are also gut-specific symptoms that are usually the most telling signs of an unhealthy gut. For example, frequent abdominal cramping, bloating, irregular bowel movements, and gas can all be signs that your gut flora is out of balance."

According to Dr. Banarjee, "Anyone may be at risk of an unhealthy gut, but it is certainly more common in people who make poor dietary choices, and also those with certain health conditions that affect the digestive system. For example, people who have conditions that affect gut motility like IBS may be at greater risk for an over proliferation of harmful gut bacteria."

RELATED: Signs You Have Celiac Disease, Say Physicians

"Eating wholesome foods that are nutrient-dense is essential for fueling your body, and your gut flora," says Dr. Banarjee. "One of the best ways we can feed the good bacteria in our guts is by eating a diet rich in fiber. Our bodies cannot actually break down fiber, so we rely on bacteria to do that for us. Fiber is essential to help move digestive contents along, thereby preventing frustrating complications like constipation. Fiber consumption is dose-response related to longevity."

RELATED: If You Do This Every Morning, Get Checked For Diabetes

Dr. Banarjee reminds us, "In our society that loves flavored and caffeinated drinks, many of us do not get enough plain water every day. Indeed, we often get too much sugar through flavored beverages, which in turn fuels unhealthy organisms. Water is vital because it not only hydrates our tissues but also helps lubricate our intestines so that we can move stools along without restriction or discomfort."

RELATED: Doctors Warn About These COVID Symptoms

Dr. Banarjee states, "Stress takes a toll on the whole body, and our stress levels are certainly reflective of our digestive health. Many people notice they have more gut problems when they are stressed, such as abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and bloating. Cortisol, the stress hormone, can affect how our digestive systems work. So, when cortisol levels are higher, it can throw off our digestive function. Additionally, when we are stressed, we often don't make the best food choices, which can certainly disrupt a healthy gut flora as well. You can also reduce oxidative stress by not eating too much sugar, starch, animal products, (not including fish), and fried foods."6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

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"Unhealthy Gut Healing Secrets That Really Work Eat This Not That - Eat This, Not That

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Ageism is one of the most unfair paradoxes in the labor market: People put in decades of hard work and then find themselves penalized for having done so.

And the problem is only worsening: Nearly 80% of older workers say they've seen or experienced age discrimination in the workplace, according to the most recent survey by AARP. That was the highest share since the group began asking the question in 2003.

Even as the economy bounces back from the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, older workers are having a challenging time getting re-hired. The percentage of jobseekers in February above the age of 55 who were "long-term unemployed," meaning they'd been looking for a job for 27 weeks or more, was more than 36%, compared to around 23% among those between the ages of 16 and 54. (Around a quarter of the workforce is older than 55.)

Here's a look at more stories for investors who are retired or are approaching retirement and are interested in a range of tools and strategies used to manage a fixed income portfolio.

"I get these heart-rending emails from people who are incredibly well-qualified, who send out hundreds and hundreds of emails and don't even get an answer," said Ashton Applewhite, author of This Chair Rocks: A Manifesto Against Ageism. "They are so demoralized."

Unsurprisingly, the discrimination has psychological consequences. Around 6.3 million cases of depression globally are thought to be attributed to ageism, according to the The World Health Organization.

Anyone feeling that they're paying a price for their age should know they're not alone, experts say. Here are some strategies to combat the problem.

Olelole | E+ | Getty Images

You may have your own frustration and sadness about getting older; that's understandable, Applewhite said: "We live in a culture that barrages us with negative messages about aging." And, as a result, she said, "older people are often the most ageist of all."

Yet these perceptions can have a powerful impact.

Research shows that older people exposed to subliminal negative age-stereotypes are more likely to perform poorly on cognitive and physical tasks, said Dr. Vnia de la Fuente-Nez, manager of the global campaign to combat ageism at The World Health Organization.

On the flip side, de la Fuente-Nez said, studies find that individuals with more positive self-perceptions of ageing experienced better functional health and greater longevity.

"Age stereotypes that we internalize can generate expectations that act as self-fulfilling prophecies," de la Fuente-Nez said.

It's not hard to imagine how these dynamics cold hurt you professionally. For example, if you believe that older people are less competent with technology, when you get up there in age you may assume that you can't learn and master certain digital skills and therefore not even attempt to.

To start to unwind some of this pessimism and its consequences, Applewhite recommends being skeptical of generalizations and getting more educated on the facts.

"The more we know about aging, the less fearful we become," she said. "Our anxieties are way out of proportion to the reality." (She said older people are often surprised to learn, for instance, that just 2.5% of Americans over the age of 65 live in nursing homes.)

And while some deterioration in memory and processing speed is common as we climb up the years, comprehension, reading and vocabulary are some of our abilities that remain stable or even get better with time, research shows.

"We talk about aging as if it's entirely loss, but there are gains," Applewhite said. "Find me an older person who actually wants to go back to their youth."

Silke Woweries | The Image Bank | Getty Images

Alison Chasteen, a professor at the University of Toronto who studies prejudice, has found in her research that some older adults fared better than others during the pandemic.

What was their secret? They focused on areas where they could still grow.

"We are referring to feeling that one is on a trajectory of improvement," Chasteen said.

Fortunately, there are more ways than ever for older workers to continue advancing, said John Tarnoff, a career transition coach.

He pointed to the seemingly endless amount of free content on YouTube, as well as the available classes on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, Skillshare and GetSetUp.io, a learning community targeted at people over the age of 50.

Find me an older person who actually wants to go back to their youth.

Another useful strategy, he said, can be for people to directly contact the tech or software provider they want to learn more about. "The company can likely provide information and training to get you started," Tarnoff said.

Many cities also offer employment services to seniors at little to no cost, including job placement and resume help.

At the same time, some older workers worry too much about a specific skill they lack say, a proficiency on Salesforce and lose sight of all they've learned over the course of their career, Tarnoff said. That wisdom can't be learned in a video.

"There's a lot we bring to the table that isn't on the page," he said. "If you don't know the strategic value and experience you bring to the marketplace from decades at work, you're selling yourself short."

Steveluker | E+ | Getty Images

Because age discrimination is so common, experts say older workers should be prepared to address incidents of it, unfortunately.

If you're before a hiring manager and suspect that they're concerned about your age, Applewhite recommends responding to it head on. "Say, 'I know how to work this software,' or, 'I'm used to working with a younger team, and I don't care if my boss is 12.'"

Many older workers are asked by hiring managers if they're "overqualified" for a role, Tarnoff said.

Prompting that question can be a concern that you'll take a better job as soon as you're presented with one. To allay that fear in an interview, Tarnoff also suggests being direct, by saying something like, "This is not a stepping stone for me. At this point in my life, this is what I want to do."

Of course, the discrimination occurs well beyond the hiring process. If you're experiencing the problem at work, you shouldn't ignore it, experts say.

There's a lot we bring to the table that isn't on the page.

John Tarnoff

career transition coach

But the way you confront the issue is key.

Chasteen, the professor who studies prejudice at the University of Toronto, has found in recent research that older people who respond to run-ins with ageism in a way that's not accusatory are more likely to get a positive reaction than, say, those who get heated.

As an example, she described a situation in which an older person is offered help doing a task that they're more than able to do on their own. Such acts can be considered benevolent ageism.

"We found that the moderate approach of saying, 'Thank you, but I can manage on my own,' resulted in fewer negative reactions to the older individual," Chasteen said.

"Such a response acknowledges that there was likely no ill intent on the part of the person who offered the unwanted help," she added. "But it also provides an opportunity for the older person to assert their competence in the situation."

It's important that people keep a record of repeated incidents of age discrimination they experience and then report them, said Jeff Vardaro, a civil rights attorney in Columbus, Ohio.

"It doesn't fix itself," Vardaro said. "Workers have to take these things into their own hands." You also probably don't want to sit on your complaints for too long, he added, since some states require age discrimination issues to be reported within a certain amount of time.

Your notes about your experience should be as detailed as possible, Vardaro said. For example, instead of writing that your boss said something mean about your age, you'll want to specify that on 24 different occasions he asked you when you planned to retire. "That stuff can be really useful when you go report it," he said.

Your company's human resources department should be your first stop, but don't be surprised if that conversation leads nowhere, he said. Unfortunately, the people in HR department can be be part of the ageist culture.

As long as we pretend we're younger than we are, we contribute to the discrimination.

"Sometimes human resources is in on it because they have some incentive to push older workers out and bring in younger, cheaper workers," Vardaro said. And, at the end of the day, he added, "their job is to protect the company, not the employees."

If you feel your complaints aren't being taken seriously internally, that's when you'll want to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In many states, submitting a federal complaint automatically triggers a state complaint as well, Vardaro said. "But it really varies state by state," he added. "People should consult with an attorney before filing a charge."

It's illegal for your boss to penalize you for contacting the EEOC, Vardaro said, "but the reality is that retaliation still happens."

"I always advise that once an employee makes an internal complaint or files a charge, they stay on the lookout for any changes in the way they are treated," he added. "We often find it easier to hold employers accountable for retaliation than for the original discrimination."

Applewhite said one of the most powerful ways for older people to push back against ageism is to resist hiding who they are.

"If you feel like you're experiencing discrimination, I am really, really sorry," she said. "If you have to dye your hair, or fudge your resume, no judgment. Do whatever you need to do."

But, she said, "as long as we pretend we're younger than we are, we contribute to the discrimination that makes those behaviors necessary."

This article was written with the support of a journalism fellowship from The Gerontological Society of America, The Journalists Network on Generations and the Silver Century Foundation.

Read more:
How older workers can push back against the reality of ageism - CNBC

As thousands of Russian boots hit the ground in Ukraine and bombs started decimating cities, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy adorned his military fatigues and with them the respect and admiration of millions worldwide. In early January, when Kazakhstan faced its own crisis albeit one of a very different nature President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev responded by distancing himself from his people and cozying up to Vladimir Putin.

It is said that history rewards the modernizers. In the face of existential crisis, this truism is at its most stark.

During recent unrest in Kazakhstan, the embattled Tokayev issued a shoot-to-kill order that put his own citizens in grave danger, then invited Russian troops to restore order. Thousands of peaceful protesters and several high-profile political figures including former Prime Minister Karim Massimov were arbitrarily detained. There have since been widespread accounts of mistreatment and the authorities haveadmittedto multiple deaths in custody by torture.

Will President Tokayev venture deeper into Moscows orbit, or will he take heed of modernizing voices? Will he look at how the world is rallying behind the comedian-turned-political warrior and reassess his policies? His success, and ultimately his political longevity, will depend on his ability to escape Putins stranglehold and how seriously he treats civil liberties. Recent trends and the violent Moscow-endorsed crackdown which claimed hundreds of lives bode ill for Kazakhstan.

There is now a veneer of stability: order has been restored, at least temporarily, and the Russian troops have come and gone. A charm offensive, led by the Kazakh foreign minister, was intended to show the government is tackling the root causes of the protests by beefing up employment opportunities for Kazakhstans restless youth.

Tokayev will need to go beyond stop-gap measures however to restore trust at home and abroad. In particular, he will need to demonstrate in tangible terms that he is sincere about respecting basic human rights and civil liberties, and is making decisions with independence from the Kremlin. A major speech on reform this week was expected to contain concrete action, but ultimately felt like little more than President Tokayev asking for more time and more trust from a population short on both.

In the first instance, he must address concerns raised in Brussels by the European Parliamentsresolution, which condemned the Kazakh leadership for stifling fundamental freedoms and failing to distinguish between peaceful protestors and violent provocateurs. These concerns have been echoed this week by Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during the49thsession of the Human Rights Council. She pointed to urgent human rights questions that remain unanswered two months after the events. How many of the thousands of detainees have been mistreated or tortured? What are the grounds for their ongoing detention? Will they be granted their full due process rights?

Without convincing answers, the international community is left to fear the worst for modernizing forces such as Massimov, until recently the head of Kazakhstans National Security Committee, who was arrested in early January on trumped up charges of high treason. The two-time prime minister has been held in solitary confinement, denied access to his family and medical care despite suffering from serious health issues. In the pre-trial phase and under a spurious top secret classification, there is a legitimate fear of a decades-long sentence brought against Massimov, one of the key architects of the post-Soviet Kazakh state.

In government, Massimov pushed through reforms that propelled Kazakhstans growth as an innovative, middle-income country. He helped spur Kazakhstans digital transformation, subscribing to the freedoms created by the internet. Massimov and fellow modernizers understood that Kazakhstans future depends on its ability to build a knowledge economy that is in-sync with the worlds top performing countries. A vocal champion of the English language in Kazakh schools and universities, Massimov looked to Singapore as a model to emulate in the fields of healthcare and education, inspiring the creation of Nazarbayev University.

His continued detention and the deprivation of his rights to due process are a source of great pain for his family, friends, and colleagues. These various factors are why I decided to submit Karim Massimovs case to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention for investigation. Under the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, this body is empowered to review cases of arbitrary deprivation of liberty and ultimately adopt opinions.

For all its faults and contradictions, Kazakhstan was until recently on the right track, gradually edging closer to Western norms and standards. This hard-earned progress is now at risk as President Tokayev slides back into Russias orbit. International and frontier investors who bought into Kazakhstans modernization are reviewing their stakes and the prospect of a stark fall in FDI looms large. With or without Russian troops on Kazakh soil, Putins shadow looms large over the Central Asian state. Devoid of modernizers and bridge builders in the Massimov mould, Kazakhstans independence vis--vis Moscow is in jeopardy.

The future development of Kazakhstan will depend on President Tokayevs next steps. He has access to a strong instrument in his hands to clear his name and give a new start to the country: allowing an international, open, and transparent investigation or declaring an amnesty to all those arbitrarily detained in the January events. He will need the support of a big tent of negotiators who can leverage interests with China, Russia, and the West, while keeping the peace at home between Kazakhs and ethnic Russians. This will be no easy feat, but the alternative is a society torn at the seams, in constant conflict with itself and others.

David. A. Merkel has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs and Director for South and Central Asian Affairs at the National Security Council in the White House. He is a founding pro-bono member of the Board of Trustees of Nazarbayev University in Nur-Sultan. He is an Associate Fellow at IISS.

The views expressed in this article are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Geopoliticalmonitor.com

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Kazakhstan: History Will Reward the Modernizers - Geopoliticalmonitor.com