Overview
- Lawmakers in the Majilis voted unanimously to outlaw promotion of “non-traditional sexual orientation” in media and online, with fines and up to 10 days’ detention for repeat offenses.
- The bill now goes to the Senate before requiring President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s signature, and parliament is dominated by parties loyal to him.
- According to rights organizations, the provisions were inserted at the last minute into an unrelated archival affairs bill without public consultation or expert review.
- Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International report the package includes mandatory labeling of LGBTI-themed materials and powers to suspend access to websites and digital content without a court order.
- Reuters notes the measure resembles laws in Russia, Georgia and Hungary, as advocacy groups urge rejection and government backers cite protecting children as the rationale.