Kazakhstan Introduces Administrative Penalties for LGBT Propaganda

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has signed a law introducing a ban on the promotion of LGBT* issues in the media and online, according to the presidential press service.

Legal Amendments and Content Restrictions

The head of state signed the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan "On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan Concerning Archival Affairs and the Limitation of the Distribution of Unlawful Content,” the statement said.

In addition to regulating archival matters, the law contains provisions aimed at restricting the spread of unlawful content, including material related to the promotion of LGBT* issues. Under the new rules, such content falls under administrative rather than criminal liability.

Penalties include fines as well as administrative detention for up to ten days.

Public Campaign and Parliamentary Approval

In 2024, Bagila Baltabayeva, head of the Kazakhstan Parents' Union, launched a petition opposing both overt and covert LGBT* propaganda in the country. She argued that children face exposure to same-sex relationships through books, television, and the internet, and called on the authorities to protect minors from such influence.

The petition collected the required 50,000 signatures and received formal review by Kazakhstan's Ministry of Culture and Information.

In December, Kazakhstan's parliament approved the law banning LGBT* propaganda nationwide. Justice Minister Botagoz Zhakselkova stated at the time that the ban does not violate international law, which allows restrictions on freedom of expression when legal grounds exist. She emphasized that the law applies exclusively to public promotion.

Regional Context and Comparisons

Russia introduced a ban on LGBT* propaganda in December 2022, imposing fines of up to 400,000 rubles on individuals and up to 5 million rubles on legal entities for violations.

One year later, Russia's Supreme Court designated the "international LGBT* movement” as an extremist organization and prohibited its activities within the country.

*banned in the Russian Federation