Kazakhstan president enacts new laws protecting women and children

Kazakhstan will guarantee better protection of women’s rights and children’s safety. Kazakh President, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, has endorsed significant amendments to new laws envisaging harsh penalties for perpetrators of abuse.

The laws had been approved by the Senate and the Mazhilis (lower house of the Parliament), making Kazakhstan the first in the Commonwealth of Independent States to enact such legislation. Tokayev completed the legislative process on 15 April.

The laws were developed in collaboration with the Commissioner for Children’s Rights, members of Parliament, and various government agencies.

“A big first step and inspiring example of civil society mobilisation,” said European Commission spokesperson Peter Stano on X, formerly Twitter.

Criminalising domestic violence

According to the amended laws, all acts of violence against women especially children, now constitute crimes. This also includes intentional infliction of light, medium and severe harm to health.

Educational institutions are to immediately report any illegal acts committed by or against minors to law enforcement. Government bodies will have to collaborate with a contact centre dedicated to family issues and the protection of women’s and children’s rights. Family support centres are also to be established, to offer specialised services to domestic violence victims.

Key provisions also include the criminalisation of sexual harassment of minors, while the legislation envisions tougher penalties for kidnapping and unlawfully imprisoning minors. The laws establish administrative responsibility for bullying of minors, including in cyberspace, marking a first for the country.

Removing children under 16 from public transport if they cannot pay the fare is prohibited as per the new laws. Criminal liability now applies also to those who incite, assist in or promote suicide.

Eradicating gender-based violence

In his remarks at the third meeting of the National Kurultay (Congress) earlier in March, President Tokayev identified domestic violence as a social evil requiring clear action, highlighting the government’s efforts to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.

An analytical report by the United Nations Development Programme, UN Women in Kazakhstan, with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information, showed under 40 per cent of citizens know what gender equality is.

A separate study by the UN and Kazakh government showed that 73% of the country’s male population think women have enough rights and opportunities. This opinion is shared by 58 per cent of all participants in this large-scale study.

The amended laws have been welcomed as a positive step forward to social justice and the protection of women and children.

By criminalising domestic violence, Kazakhstan makes clear that abusive behaviour is unacceptable, remarked the United Nations Resident Coordinator to the country, Michaela Friberg-Story.

“This critical step not only promotes gender equality but also ensures that survivors of domestic violence have access to justice and support services to rebuild their lives,” Friberg-Story emphasised.

The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) commended the progress made towards democratic and political reforms in Kazakhstan, on the 20^th anniversary of the cooperation agreement between parties. PACE especially mentioned the authorities’ decision to abolish the death penalty in the country’s constitution, encouraging Kazakhstan to adhere to principles of inclusivity and equality for all.

By Xhoi Zajmi I Edited by Brian Maguire | Euractiv’s Advocacy Lab ]

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