Government Agencies to Study Impact of LGBT on Children

Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov's response to a parliamentary inquiry states that a study of the LGBT movement's social, psychological, and medical impact on young people is scheduled for next year.

Orda.kz reports this, citing the Majilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The request was received from Majilis deputy Rinat Zaitov. Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Olzhas Bektenov commented that the country is working to study this matter, and measures have been taken to protect children and adolescents from the propaganda of sexual relations.

Bektenov recalled that this year, the Ministry of Culture and Information created a working group to consider a petition against LGBT propaganda. The group includes members, representatives of public associations, and government agencies. The working group decided to partially satisfy the petition and ensure the protection of teenagers from unwanted influence.

After all necessary studies are completed, a public discussion of the issues of regulation of this industry will be organized. In general, the issue is under the supervision of authorized bodies and the government, the prime minister notes. 

According to law enforcement agencies, non-governmental organizations such as Kaleidoscope, Feminita, and KazFem work to protect women's rights and promote a tolerant attitude toward the LGBT community in Kazakhstan.

This year, these organizations held group assemblies without coordination with local executive bodies. In this case, their actions were classified as a violation of Kazakhstan's legislation on the procedure for organizing and holding peaceful assemblies, in connection with which two activists were brought to administrative responsibility, the answer specifies. 

The Prime Minister noted that recognizing the LGBT movement as extremist could draw criticism from international human rights organizations, which would regard this as a violation of the right to freedom of expression and association.

Original Author: Alina Pak