Plenary Session 6
Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, Anti-Semitism and Intolerance, as well as Discrimination Against Christians, Muslims and Representatives of Other Religions)
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarantees equal rights regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or membership in social groups and public associations.
Criminal and administrative liability is established for discrimination and violation of equality.
Human rights compliance is monitored and ensured by the Constitutional Court, the Commissioner for Human Rights and regional ombudspersons, as well as the Commission on Human Rights under the President. A working group under the Ministry of Culture has been established to improve anti-discrimination legislation.
On the Petition Regarding the Ban on LGBT Propaganda
Kazakhstan has no legal prohibitions based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Members of the LGBTI community enjoy all fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The petition reflects a democratic mechanism for expressing public opinion. It collected the required number of signatures, and the procedure for its submission fully complies with national law and international standards.
Importantly, the petition did not result in any ban on LGBT activities.
A decision was made to conduct, during 2024-2025, a study on the social, psychological, medical, and other impacts of the LGBT movement on minors. The study is currently ongoing.
The petition review process took into account the views of all stakeholders, including human rights defenders and representatives of the LGBT community.
On Religion
The procedure for establishing regional religious associations has been simplified.
It now requires the initiative of at least two local religious associations from one region, with a combined membership of at least 500 citizens.
Kazakhstan is home to more than 3,900 religious associations representing 18 denominations, coexisting peacefully.
Kazakhstan has set an example for the international community through the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan every three years since 2003. The most recent, VIII Congress, took place in Astana on 17–18 September 2025, with delegations from 60 countries participating.
Reference Information
On LGBT Issues
Restrictions on the dissemination of information containing LGBT-related rhetoric contradict the user agreements of major online platforms (such as META and TikTok, which contain no such prohibitions).
According to the Law “On Online Platforms and Online Advertising”, there are no legal grounds for restricting access to platforms for distributing such information.
However, despite the absence of explicit prohibitions on LGBT propaganda, the blocking of online resources harmful to the health, moral, and spiritual development of children may be carried out.
In February 2024, the website Selftanu.kz was blocked based on a legal assessment by the authorized child rights protection body concerning violations of legislation related to harmful information for minors.
In 2022, the animated film “Lightyear” was banned from screening following numerous public and media requests. A petition against the film’s screening due to the presence of an LGBT scene gathered 36 020 signatures
(32 646 in favor of the ban and 3 374 against) as of 4 July 2022.
The Petition
On 10 June 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Information received a petition titled “We Are Against Open and Hidden LGBT Propaganda in the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
The petition was reviewed in accordance with the Administrative Procedural and Process-Related Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (APPC RK).
In line with Article 90-5 of the APPC RK, on 21 June 2024, a working group was established under the Ministry to discuss the issues raised in the petition.
The working group included Members of Parliament, representatives of government agencies, civil society organizations, and the petition’s initiators (45 members in total).
Among the public associations were organizations specializing in human rights protection, child protection, education, media, freedom of speech, and family policy (22 members).
During the review process, the Ministry received over 300 additional submissions and comments, including from international organizations.
Statistical and other data from government bodies, research, and specialized centers were analyzed.
As a result, on 6 August 2024, a decision was made to partially satisfy the petition (specifically, the demand to «protect and safeguard adolescents and children from propaganda and promotion of sexual relations»). The decision was officially published on the Ministry’s website.
According to Article 90-6 of the APPC RK, upon reviewing a petition, one of the following decisions is made:
Full or partial satisfaction of the petition;
Rejection of the petition.
In accordance with the final decision, the Ministry of Culture and Information is not responsible for organizing or conducting research on LGBT issues.
The following organizational and legal measures were proposed:
On Implementation of the Petition Decision
The final decision on the petition “We Are Against Open and Hidden LGBT Propaganda in the Republic of Kazakhstan!” did not specify exact implementation timelines, allowing agencies to conduct related work based on available resources and within reasonable timeframes.
Research activities on this issue are currently ongoing.
At the same time, the human rights organization “National Endownment for Prosperity” publicly announced the results of its independent study, exercising its constitutional right to freedom of speech and creativity.
Currently, there are no legal grounds to impede the activities of this or other organizations conducting and publishing such studies.
On Gender Reassignment
At present, gender reassignment procedures are regulated by national legislation (Article 156 of the Code «On Public Health and the Healthcare System»).
Persons diagnosed with gender identity disorders, aged 21 years and older, legally capable, and without mental or behavioral disorders (diseases), have the right to undergo gender reassignment.
The procedure for medical examination and gender reassignment for individuals with gender identity disorders is determined by the authorized body.
The applicable normative legal acts comply with international human rights norms and gender identity conventions.
Medical interventions may only be initiated once personality formation and physiological maturity have been achieved, particularly with respect to the nervous and endocrine systems.
Hormone therapy and surgical correction are serious medical interventions that may cause significant side effects and are often irreversible.
Therefore, such medical correction should only commence when personality formation and physiological maturity are achieved.
According to scientific data, personality formation occurs by the age of 21, characterized by key traits such as responsibility, activity and purposefulness, stable social connections, self-acceptance and tolerance toward others, realistic perception, goal setting, and a clear self-concept.
The endocrine system also completes its formation around age 20.
Therefore, gender reassignment procedures are legally permitted only from the age of 21.
Tolerance and Non-Discrimination (Combating Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, Anti-Semitism and Intolerance, as well as Discrimination Against Christians, Muslims and Representatives of Other Religions)
The Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan guarantees equal rights regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, or membership in social groups and public associations.
Criminal and administrative liability is established for discrimination and violation of equality.
Human rights compliance is monitored and ensured by the Constitutional Court, the Commissioner for Human Rights and regional ombudspersons, as well as the Commission on Human Rights under the President. A working group under the Ministry of Culture has been established to improve anti-discrimination legislation.
On the Petition Regarding the Ban on LGBT Propaganda
Kazakhstan has no legal prohibitions based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
Members of the LGBTI community enjoy all fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The petition reflects a democratic mechanism for expressing public opinion. It collected the required number of signatures, and the procedure for its submission fully complies with national law and international standards.
Importantly, the petition did not result in any ban on LGBT activities.
A decision was made to conduct, during 2024-2025, a study on the social, psychological, medical, and other impacts of the LGBT movement on minors. The study is currently ongoing.
The petition review process took into account the views of all stakeholders, including human rights defenders and representatives of the LGBT community.
On Religion
The procedure for establishing regional religious associations has been simplified.
It now requires the initiative of at least two local religious associations from one region, with a combined membership of at least 500 citizens.
Kazakhstan is home to more than 3,900 religious associations representing 18 denominations, coexisting peacefully.
Kazakhstan has set an example for the international community through the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions, held in Kazakhstan every three years since 2003. The most recent, VIII Congress, took place in Astana on 17–18 September 2025, with delegations from 60 countries participating.
Reference Information
On LGBT Issues
Restrictions on the dissemination of information containing LGBT-related rhetoric contradict the user agreements of major online platforms (such as META and TikTok, which contain no such prohibitions).
According to the Law “On Online Platforms and Online Advertising”, there are no legal grounds for restricting access to platforms for distributing such information.
However, despite the absence of explicit prohibitions on LGBT propaganda, the blocking of online resources harmful to the health, moral, and spiritual development of children may be carried out.
In February 2024, the website Selftanu.kz was blocked based on a legal assessment by the authorized child rights protection body concerning violations of legislation related to harmful information for minors.
In 2022, the animated film “Lightyear” was banned from screening following numerous public and media requests. A petition against the film’s screening due to the presence of an LGBT scene gathered 36 020 signatures
(32 646 in favor of the ban and 3 374 against) as of 4 July 2022.
The Petition
On 10 June 2024, the Ministry of Culture and Information received a petition titled “We Are Against Open and Hidden LGBT Propaganda in the Republic of Kazakhstan.”
The petition was reviewed in accordance with the Administrative Procedural and Process-Related Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan (APPC RK).
In line with Article 90-5 of the APPC RK, on 21 June 2024, a working group was established under the Ministry to discuss the issues raised in the petition.
The working group included Members of Parliament, representatives of government agencies, civil society organizations, and the petition’s initiators (45 members in total).
Among the public associations were organizations specializing in human rights protection, child protection, education, media, freedom of speech, and family policy (22 members).
During the review process, the Ministry received over 300 additional submissions and comments, including from international organizations.
Statistical and other data from government bodies, research, and specialized centers were analyzed.
As a result, on 6 August 2024, a decision was made to partially satisfy the petition (specifically, the demand to «protect and safeguard adolescents and children from propaganda and promotion of sexual relations»). The decision was officially published on the Ministry’s website.
According to Article 90-6 of the APPC RK, upon reviewing a petition, one of the following decisions is made:
Full or partial satisfaction of the petition;
Rejection of the petition.
In accordance with the final decision, the Ministry of Culture and Information is not responsible for organizing or conducting research on LGBT issues.
The following organizational and legal measures were proposed:
- The Ministries of Science and Higher Education, Health, and Education are to analyze and prepare a report on international research findings concerning the social, psychological, medical, and other factors influencing minors related to the LGBT movement.
- The Ministries of Science and Higher Education and Health are to organize scientific research on LGBT issues in Kazakhstan during 2024–2025.
- The Ministry of Culture and Information, upon completion of all necessary studies, shall organize a public discussion on regulating this area, taking into account the positions of all stakeholders.
On Implementation of the Petition Decision
The final decision on the petition “We Are Against Open and Hidden LGBT Propaganda in the Republic of Kazakhstan!” did not specify exact implementation timelines, allowing agencies to conduct related work based on available resources and within reasonable timeframes.
Research activities on this issue are currently ongoing.
At the same time, the human rights organization “National Endownment for Prosperity” publicly announced the results of its independent study, exercising its constitutional right to freedom of speech and creativity.
Currently, there are no legal grounds to impede the activities of this or other organizations conducting and publishing such studies.
On Gender Reassignment
At present, gender reassignment procedures are regulated by national legislation (Article 156 of the Code «On Public Health and the Healthcare System»).
Persons diagnosed with gender identity disorders, aged 21 years and older, legally capable, and without mental or behavioral disorders (diseases), have the right to undergo gender reassignment.
The procedure for medical examination and gender reassignment for individuals with gender identity disorders is determined by the authorized body.
The applicable normative legal acts comply with international human rights norms and gender identity conventions.
Medical interventions may only be initiated once personality formation and physiological maturity have been achieved, particularly with respect to the nervous and endocrine systems.
Hormone therapy and surgical correction are serious medical interventions that may cause significant side effects and are often irreversible.
Therefore, such medical correction should only commence when personality formation and physiological maturity are achieved.
According to scientific data, personality formation occurs by the age of 21, characterized by key traits such as responsibility, activity and purposefulness, stable social connections, self-acceptance and tolerance toward others, realistic perception, goal setting, and a clear self-concept.
The endocrine system also completes its formation around age 20.
Therefore, gender reassignment procedures are legally permitted only from the age of 21.