The protests in Zhanaozen began as a peaceful demonstration by oil workers who were demanding better pay and working conditions amid rising living costs. Over the months leading up to the protests, the workers had been engaged in a strike that highlighted their grievances against the local oil companies and the government’s inability to address labor rights issues. However, as the protests intensified on December 16, the situation took a violent turn when demonstrators clashed with police forces. The security forces were deployed to disperse the crowds, but their response escalated into a brutal crackdown.

The confrontation resulted in at least 16 deaths and numerous injuries as the police fired both live ammunition and rubber bullets into the crowds. Witnesses reported that security personnel used excessive force against unarmed protesters. In the aftermath, the Kazakh government implemented a state of emergency, imposing curfews and restricting public gatherings. The incident drew national and international attention, with many human rights organizations criticizing the government's actions and demanding accountability for the loss of life.

Following the protests, various investigations took place, although many were criticized for lack of transparency. The events in Zhanaozen became emblematic of broader dissatisfaction within Kazakhstan regarding economic inequality and government repression, particularly in regions dominated by natural resource extraction. Local communities expressed fears of further violence as protests became a symbol of resistance against the government's authoritarian measures.