Senate Withdraws Content Regulation Amendments Amid EU Concerns

Consideration of amendments related to archival matters and restrictions on the distribution of illegal content, including a ban on LGBTQ+ “propaganda,” has been removed from the Senate plenary session agenda, Orda.kz reports.

On Wednesday evening, the Senate press service announced the plenary session around 5:00 p.m., listing three agenda items. The third item concerned amendments on archival matters and restrictions on illegal content, including the ban on LGBTQ+ “propaganda.”

However, just a couple of hours later, at 7:22 p.m., a revised agenda was sent to Kazakhstani media outlets. Only the first two items remained; the amendments on LGBTQ+ “propaganda” had been removed.

Removing an item from the Senate plenary agenda is extremely rare, so the chamber’s press service explained the reason for the changes.

They said senators still need to finalize certain provisions:

There is a need for further development of certain regulations. It is important to note that the Law amends and supplements the Labor Code, as well as 12 laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan. This extensive work requires additional time. At the same time, given that the law also regulates issues related to the protection of children's rights, which always requires a special approach and careful consideration, the chamber's deputies decided to postpone consideration of the law until a later date.

The need for further refinement is especially notable given the official visit of EU President António Costa, who is meeting President Qasym-Jomart Toqayev in Astana today. The head of state and the EU president are expected to discuss prospects for future cooperation between Kazakhstan and the EU.

Representatives of the European Union have repeatedly expressed concern about the law banning LGBTQ+ “propaganda.” The day before, EU Ambassador to Kazakhstan Aleshka Simkich met with Deputy Senate Speaker Zhakyp Asanov. She said Brussels had raised concerns about the amendments adopted by the Majilis and stressed the importance of adhering to international legal norms.

European experts noted that the proposed parliamentary amendments on LGBTQ+ “propaganda” raise serious questions. They emphasized that legislative changes must not contradict the fundamental principles to which Kazakhstan has committed itself — including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, its obligations as a UN member, and its commitments under the OSCE and the Helsinki Accords.

During a working group discussion in the Senate, Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Yevgeny Kochetov explained how the ministry interprets LGBTQ+ “propaganda.”

Meanwhile, cases of discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in Kazakhstan continue to rise. Their events have been disrupted, they have been harassed, and they have been detained by law enforcement.

Original Author: Anastasia Prilepskaya