Kazakh anti-LGBTQ law
| Anti-LGBT Propaganda Law | |
|---|---|
| Mäjilis | |
| Considered by | Parliament of Kazakhstan |
| Enacted by | Mäjilis |
| Legislative history | |
| Introduced by | Elnur Beisembaev (Amanat) |
| First reading | 17 September 2025 |
| Second reading | 12 November 2025 |
| Status: Pending | |
The Kazakh anti-LGBTQ law is a proposed legislation introduced by members of the Mäjilis in October 2025.
Initially introduced by 15 parliamentary deputies from various political parties,[1] the bill was meant to ban the promotion of "non-traditional sexual orientation" in public spaces and the media.[2] It was endorsed by the Ministries of Culture and Information, Internal Affairs, Health, and Education, and the Cabinet of Ministers.[1]
Several human rights organizations urged Parliament to reject the proposal. They were concerned over the possible censorship of the media and endangerment of LGBTQ+ Kazakhs in case the law is adopted.[1] It has often been compared to the Russian anti-LGBTQ law,[2] with some speculations of it being modelled after it in the first place.[3]
On 12 November 2025, it was passed by the Mäjilis during its second hearing, and currently awaits approval by the Senate[3] and later signing by the President.[4]
Background
Kazakhstan has legalised homosexual relations in the 1990s, after the dissolution of the Soviet Union; however, as reported by Reuters, the majority-Muslim secular country remains socially conservative.[4]
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has voiced homophobic statements earlier in 2025 by stating: "For decades, so-called democratic moral values, including LGBT, were imposed on many countries".[2]
In 2024, a petition calling for legislation that would ban "LGBT propaganda" was opened in Kazakhstan. In July of that year, experts of the United Nations made a joint statement opposing the petition, warning it would violate "multiple human rights".[5]
History
On 28 October 2025, 15 deputies proposed the legislation. The next day, the Parliament held talks regarding it alongside the Ministry of Culture and Information.[6] Later that day, the Parliament gave preliminary approval to the draft law, putting it up for consideration and a future vote.[4]
On 12 November 2025, the Mäjilis passed the draft law at its second reading.[2]
Contents
On 29 October, the ruling Amanat party executive secretary and panel discussion chairman Elnur Beisenbaev stated that the text of the draft law will only be publicised once it is adopted.[1]
As reported by CBS News, the legislation plans to ban "information containing propaganda of pedophilia and/or non-traditional sexual orientation in public spaces, as well as in the media".[3] It is planned to affect online media as well.[4]
The draft law would also start considering "LGBT propaganda" to be an administrative offence, the punishment of which would be a 10-day arrest and a fine.[6]
Reaction
Many international human rights organizations, including Access Now, the Civil Rights Defenders, Human Rights Watch, the International Partnership for Human Rights, and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee, have openly voiced concerns over the proposal, opposing it. The main concern was around the censorship of media and education and the endangerment of LGBTQ+ Kazakhs, including queer youth, possible in the case the draft law is adopted.[1][6]
As stated by local civil rights advocates, when adopted, it would threaten to affect the country's children's rights, mass media, online media, advertisements, social media, and legislation affecting culture and education.[6]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e "Kazakhstan: Reject 'LGBT Propaganda' Legal Proposals". Human Rights Watch. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Kazakhstan moves to ban 'non-traditional sexual orientation' promotion". Le Monde. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c "Russian-style anti-LGBTQ law advances in Kazakhstan to ban promotion of "non-traditional sexual orientation"". CBS News. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d Vaal, Tamara (29 October 2025). "Kazakhstan lawmakers give preliminary approval to ban on LGBT 'propaganda'". Reuters. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ Vaal, Tamara (29 October 2025). "Kazakhstan: Reject rights-violating petition, say UN experts". United Nations Human Rights Office. Retrieved 12 November 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Құқық қорғаушылар Қазақстан парламентін "ЛГБТ насихатына" тыйым салатын заң жобасын қабылдамауға шақырды" (in Kazakh). Radio Liberty. 12 November 2025. Retrieved 12 November 2025.