Statement: Kazakhstan Senate votes to approve anti-LGBTI provisions

ILGA-Europe urges President Tokayev to reject the unconstitutional law and calls for a strong international response

ILGA-Europe express grave concern following today’s decision by the Senate of the Republic of Kazakhstan to approve amendments introducing discriminatory “anti-LGBTI propaganda” restrictions into national legislation. If enacted, these provisions would undermine fundamental rights guaranteed under Kazakhstan’s Constitution, particularly the principle of equality and non-discrimination, by directly targeting and stigmatising LGBTI people and anyone perceived to support them.

Far beyond LGBTI repression

The amendments extend far beyond restricting the human rights of LGBTI people. By establishing deliberately broad and  undefined categories of “propaganda” and inserting them across numerous laws, the provisions create an expansive legal basis for state censorship, threatening freedom of expression, freedom of speech, and the ability of individuals and organisations to access or share information. As such, they are yet another clear case of the LGBTI community being weaponised to undermine democratic principles.

This framework risks criminalising or penalising media reporting, artistic expression, educational materials, psychological support, and public health information. Journalists, teachers, psychologists, doctors, lawyers, civil-society organisations, and human-rights defenders may all find themselves unable to exercise their professional duties without fear of scrutiny, sanction, or repression. 

Violation of obligations and international law

These measures violate Kazakhstan’s constitutional obligations as well as international human-rights law, OSCE commitments, UN treaty obligations, and the principles enshrined in the EU – Kazakhstan Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA), the 10-year anniversary of which Kazakhstan and EU have just celebrated. In particular, the provisions contradict EPCA Article 5, according to which Kazakhstan and EU commit to cooperating to promote and effectively protect human rights and the rule of law.

We urge President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to refuse to sign these amendments and reject them in their entirety. Adoption of such provisions would represent a significant setback for human rights, would legitimize hostility and violence towards an already vulnerable community, and would impose restrictions on journalism, education, healthcare, and civil society in Kazakhstan.

Call to international partners

ILGA-Europe calls upon Kazakhstan’s international partners to act quickly and in coordinated fashion to communicate their condemnation of the adoption of these discriminatory amendments and how this can impact their agreements and relations with Kazakhstan. This includes the aforementioned commitments as well as agreements related to Erasmus+, the European Broadcasting Union, ESG and human-rights standards (Environment, Social and Governance criteria in making investment decisions) and the potential future simplified EU visa regime.

Call to global action in solidarity with LGBTI people in Kazakhstan

ILGA-Europe calls on LGBTI organisations, activists, and allies around the world, particularly in countries where it is safe and lawful to do so, to:

• Organise public protests and solidarity actions in front of embassies and consulates of Kazakhstan in your countries;
• Amplify the voices and experiences of Kazakh LGBTI people in international and national media;
• Share accurate information to counter misinformation and highlight the broader risks presented by the legislation;
• Express support and solidarity for the Kazakh LGBTI people, who face expanding threats under a widening censorship framework.

ILGA-Europe stands with Kazakhstan’s LGBTI community

We re-affirm our unwavering solidarity with LGBTI people, human-rights defenders, and allies in Kazakhstan. ILGA-Europe will continue to work closely with local activists, civil society, and international partners to prevent the legislation from entering into force and to ensure that fundamental rights, freedom of expression, equality, human dignity, and safety are respected for all people in Kazakhstan.