Kazakhstan Faces Outrage As Parliament Moves To Ban «LGBTQ propaganda»

Lawmakers in Kazakhstan are racing towards a parliamentary vote on a set of amendments that human rights groups warn would effectively criminalise information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people (LGBTIQ+) — and make everyday expression a punishable offence.

Seven major international rights organisations have urged MPs to reject the changes, saying the proposals would graft an «LGBTQ propaganda» ban onto an unrelated archival bill and breach Kazakhstan’s international human rights commitments. Campaigners warn the measures would roll back freedoms of expression, education and access to health information for LGBTIQ+ people and the wider public.

The controversial provisions were introduced late in the legislative process after the archival bill had already passed its first reading. Activists who attended a Ministry of Culture and Information meeting say the amendments would define «propaganda of non‑traditional sexual orientation» so broadly that any public mention, positive portrayal or support for LGBTIQ+ lives — online, in media, at events or in educational materials — could attract administrative penalties, including fines and up to 10 days’ detention.

Parliamentarians proposing the changes described them during an October meeting attended by selected civil society figures and journalists, but activists say invited experts were not permitted to comment on the text. The amendments were tabled by 15 deputies from several parties and reportedly backed by multiple ministries and the Cabinet of Ministers. Campaigners say the full text will only be published after adoption, raising fears the measures are being slipped through without proper scrutiny.

Critics note the draft’s wording mirrors a Russian law introduced in 2013 and would allow authorities to suspend websites and remove digital content without a court order. They warn the law would touch not just media and online platforms, but child protection, advertising, communications, culture and education rules, creating a sweeping legal framework for censorship and discrimination.
Human rights bodies at the United Nations have repeatedly urged Kazakhstan to tackle discrimination and violence against LGBTIQ+ people. Yet the country currently lacks explicit legal protections based on sexual orientation or gender identity, and rights groups say LGBTIQ+ people already face assaults, blackmail, police abuse and other violations carried out with near impunity.

Campaigners called on Kazakhstan’s international partners to condemn the move and for MPs to withdraw the amendments, urging lawmakers instead to strengthen protections and consult properly with human rights and LGBTIQ+ organisations. With the lower house preparing to vote imminently, activists say it is not too late for the government to scrap the abusive proposals and uphold constitutional guarantees of non‑discrimination and freedom of information.