On February 28, 2024, deputies of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the second reading approved the draft Law “On Amendments and Additions to Certain Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on the Issues of Ensuring the Rights of Women and the Safety of Children,” which tightens liability for domestic violence.
The document has been sent for consideration to the Senate.
The amendments propose to restore criminal liability for causing minor harm to health (punishment in the form of a fine of up to 200 MCI, or community service for up to 200 hours, or arrest for up to 50 days), as well as for battery (punishment in the form of a fine of up to 80 MCI, community service for up to 80 hours, or arrest for up to 25 days). If these actions are committed with particular cruelty against a minor and a person carrying out official activities or performing a professional or public duty, restriction of freedom or imprisonment of up to two years may be applied.
Meanwhile, the law prescribes life imprisonment for pedophilia, eliminating the alternative form of punishment – restriction of freedom.
The law criminalizes incitement to suicide or inducement to suicide, with a penalty of imprisonment for a term of five to nine years. A new criminal liability is also being introduced for promoting suicide in the form of a fine of 200 MCI.