Significant legal changes have been introduced to protect women's rights in Kazakhstan. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
A new law against harassment and forced marriage has been approved by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This law has been developed with the aim of reforming the country's criminal enforcement system and includes changes in four main areas.
The law is expected to be officially announced and implemented soon. For the first time, the concept of "stalking" has been introduced in this document.
This refers to actions such as persistently disturbing, monitoring, or establishing uncomfortable relationships with a person without their consent. Even if such actions are not related to violence, they can cause significant psychological harm to the individual.
Now, a fine or administrative detention of up to 90 days has been established for such actions. Additionally, penalties for cases of abducting brides and forcing them into marriage have been intensified.
This crime has been included as a new article in the Criminal Code. Depending on the severity of the crime, penalties may include financial fines, corrective labor, restriction of freedom, or imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Under previous legislation, such cases were considered "kidnapping" and could result in imprisonment for up to 15 years. However, if the perpetrator voluntarily released the woman, there was a possibility of exemption from liability.
This possibility has been removed with the new law. President Tokayev personally addressed this issue, firmly opposing the justification of bride abduction by national traditions at the National Assembly.
He stated that the dignity and rights of individuals must be the highest value in our society. This law has become an important step in protecting women in Kazakhstan and safeguarding them from harassment and coercion.
Civil society and human rights organizations are positively evaluating these changes. Now every woman can feel protected by the law.
