Woman laws at Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan has recently enacted significant legal reforms aimed at enhancing the protection of women and children, particularly concerning domestic violence. These changes were largely influenced by public outrage over high-profile cases, such as the 2023 murder of Saltanat Nukenova by her husband, former economy minister Kuandyk Bishimbayev.
⚖️ Key Legal Reforms
1. "Saltanat’s Law" (Effective June 16, 2024): Following the murder of Saltanat Nukenova, Kazakhstan introduced "Saltanat’s Law," which:
Criminalizes domestic violence, including physical and psychological abuse.
Restores criminal penalties for offenses like battery and intentional infliction of light bodily harm, which had been decriminalized in 2017.
Mandates police to investigate domestic violence cases proactively, even without a formal complaint.
Prohibits reconciliation between parties in cases involving repeated violence.
Introduces penalties for offenses such as child sexual harassment and cyberbullying.
Establishes Family Support Centres offering legal, psychological, and social assistance to victims
2. Strengthened Penalties for Child Abuse: The new law imposes life imprisonment for crimes like pedophilia and the murder of minors under 14, with no alternative punishments for child rape
🏛️ Institutional Developments
**Emergency Contact Centre:**The establishment of a 111 hotline provides immediate assistance to individuals facing domestic violence or family-related issues
**Expansion of Family Support Centres:**The government plans to increase the number of these centres from 68 to 200, aiming to provide comprehensive support to families in need
🔍 Areas for Improvement
Despite these advancements, Human Rights Watch has highlighted that the new law is "incomplete" It does not criminalize domestic violence as a standalone offense in the Criminal Code, potentially leading to inconsistent legal treatment of such case. Additionally, the law's reference to promoting "traditional family values" may inadvertently downplay the severity of domestic violence and exclude unregistered relationships from its scope
📈 Ongoing Challenge
Kazakhstan continues to grapple with high rates of domestic violence, with approximately 400 women reportedly killed annually due to abue he recent trial of Kuandyk Bishimbayev, which was broadcast live and attracted widespread attention, has intensified public discourse on the isse While legislative measures have been taken, activists argue that effective implementation, public education, and addressing systemic issues within law enforcement are crucial for meaningful change
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In summary, Kazakhstan has made notable progress in legislating against domestic violence and enhancing support for women and childrn However, the effectiveness of these reforms will depend on their rigorous implementation and the broader societal commitment to challenging entrenched norms that perpetuate gender-based violene.
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