Kazakhstan Parliament Advances Bill to Ban LGBT Content

Kazakhstan’s Parliament Advances Controversial “LGBT Propaganda” Ban Amid Rights Concerns

Lawmakers in Kazakhstan have moved forward with controversial legislation that would ban what they term “LGBT propaganda,” sparking outcry from human rights defenders and activists across the country. The bill, which passed its second reading in the Mazhilis (lower house of parliament) on November 12, now awaits Senate approval before potentially becoming law with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s signature.

The legislation would impose administrative penalties, including heavy fines or up to ten days of detention, for disseminating content deemed to promote “non-traditional sexual orientation” through media, telecommunications, or online platforms. The restrictions would apply to social media posts, films, books, and advertising.

Mazhilis deputy Yelnur Beisenbayev explained that the ban targets information “intended to shape public opinion positively” about LGBT orientations. His colleague Irina Smirnova specifically cited children’s books featuring same-sex relationships as examples of materials that would be prohibited, noting she had “seen books in the library that promote LGBT, where a prince falls in love with a prince.”

The controversial provisions are embedded within a broader bill on “protecting children from harmful information,” which amends several existing laws covering children’s rights, advertising, education, cinema, and media. Rights advocates argue this packaging obscures the true scope of the restrictions.

Human rights organizations have condemned the legislative effort, warning that it undermines Kazakhstan’s international commitments and threatens basic freedoms. Zhanar Sekerbayeva, co-founder of the feminist initiative Feminita, questioned whether Kazakhstan was becoming “a colony of the Russian Federation” by adopting laws reminiscent of Russia’s increasingly restrictive policies.

“Because of these amendments, people can be punished for anything – jokes, drawings, hugs,” said Arj Tursynkan from the NGO Education Community. He described the legislation as a test of Kazakhstan’s commitment to international norms of dignity and freedom.

Tatyana Chernobyl, an independent human rights expert, emphasized that there is “absolutely no reason to protect children from so-called LGBT propaganda” and noted that the LGBTQI+ community in Kazakhstan currently lacks legal protections. She warned the amendments could incite discrimination and violence.

Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have called on parliament to withdraw the bill, noting that its vague definition of “propaganda” opens the door to arbitrary enforcement and violates Kazakhstan’s obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

This latest attempt follows earlier efforts to criminalize LGBT expression. In April 2024, deputies proposed criminal penalties for LGBT propaganda through amendments to media law, though those provisions were ultimately removed from the final bill. Supporters of restrictions have gathered public support, with an online petition collecting 50,000 signatures in June, though no comprehensive public opinion surveys have been conducted.

The legislation comes at a time when Kazakhstan has been positioning itself internationally as a country open to dialogue and investment, particularly in emerging technologies. Critics warn that adopting such prohibitive laws could damage this image and potentially impact economic development.

Some voices have advocated for a more nuanced approach. Political analyst Gaziz Abishev, while supporting conservative values, stated on Telegram that he remains “completely neutral towards representatives of various groups” but believes they “should be treated like ordinary people and behave accordingly.”

Meanwhile, deputy Nikita Shatalov has rejected international criticism, stating that “it is nonsense for someone to impose their point of view on us through informational pressure.” He insisted that the legislation focuses solely on public discourse and protecting minors, not persecuting individuals based on identity.

As the bill moves to the Senate, activists continue to express concern that Kazakhstan may be following in the footsteps of neighboring Russia, where similar laws have preceded broader crackdowns on civil liberties, particularly following the invasion of Ukraine.