Kazakhstan Senate Postpones Discussion of 'LGBT Propaganda' Ban – EU Official Arrives for Visit

IHR
1 minute ago
2 min read

Kazakhstan's Senate postponed a vote on the controversial LGBT propaganda ban until Dec 18, coinciding with the EU Council President's visit. The bill, criticized as unfair and similar to Russia's law, faces strong opposition from rights groups. The delay signals internal debate on global alignment.

The Senate in Kazakhstan has delayed talking about a proposed law that would stop LGBT propaganda. This delay happened as Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev met with António Costa, the President of the Council of the European Union (EU). Costa was in Kazakhstan for his first official visit, according to Bes.Media. The meeting took place at the Akorda residence.

Before Costa's visit, on December 3, the Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Zhakyp Assanov, and other senators met with the EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Aleska Simkič. They talked about working together on political issues, the economy, and what's happening in the area.

The Senate was supposed to talk about the ban on the propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation on December 4. But, it was announced that this topic was taken off the list for the Senate session. The discussion is now planned for December 18.

The changes being suggested would affect Kazakhstan's Labor Code and 12 other laws. They would ban the propaganda of pedophilia and non-traditional sexual orientation. These changes are much like Russia's LGBT propaganda law, which has been criticized for being unfair.

The Mazhilis, which is the lower house of Parliament, approved this unfair bill on November 12.

Human rights groups are asking for the bill to be rejected. International organizations that protect human rights have also spoken out against it. They say that this law goes against human rights and could cause LGBT people to be punished and treated unfairly.

In 2023, Kyrgyzstan also passed a law that bans propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations. Medet Tulegenov, a political commentator, told Kloop that this is like copying Russian laws. He added that the topic of gay rights is often used in Kyrgyzstan to make political opponents look bad.

The debate around this bill shows the tension between Kazakhstan's international relationships and its internal policies. The visit by the EU official and the postponement of the vote suggest Kazakhstan is thinking about the international reaction to the law. The delay gives human rights groups more time to convince the government to reject the bill. The final decision will show how Kazakhstan balances its own values with its desire to be part of the international community.