Overview
- The Senate passed the measure in a second, final reading on December 18 as part of broader amendments on archives policy and limiting unlawful content.
- The law restricts placement of materials seen as promoting pedophilia or so‑called non‑traditional sexual orientation across media, telecommunications networks, online platforms and public spaces.
- Officials have cited child protection as the rationale, with Vice-Minister of Justice Botagoz Zhakselekova asserting the restrictions comply with international law.
- Penalties described earlier by a culture and information official include fines of about $140 that can double for repeat offenses or administrative arrest of up to 10 days.
- Nine international and Kazakh rights groups urged authorities not to adopt the changes and warned of threats to free expression, while EU diplomats flagged reputational risks and a local LGBT petition opposing the bill was rejected.