Kazakhstan adopted a law on domestic violence after the scandalous trial of the ex-minister

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law aimed at combating domestic violence. This was reported by the local publication Orda.kz.

According to the new law, battery and intentional infliction of minor bodily harm entail criminal liability. Previously, only administrative punishment was provided for this. For causing moderate and severe harm, imprisonment from three to eight years is provided. Previously, such actions were also punishable by restriction of freedom.

In addition, the law provides for life imprisonment for rape, sexual assault and murder of minors. It also introduces liability for sexual “molestation” of persons under 16 years of age and criminalizes the promotion of suicide.

The law excludes the possibility of reconciliation between the parties in cases of crimes involving physical violence and cruel treatment of minors.

Other innovations include the creation of family support centers that will provide assistance to victims of domestic violence, and administrative responsibility for bullying. Also, educational institutions are now required to report crimes committed against children or by children to law enforcement agencies.

At the same time, as Orda.kz notes , the bill failed to include the prevention of family conflicts and the provision of an immediate protective order to oblige the aggressor to immediately leave the home and not approach the victims. According to the law, he can live in the same apartment until a court decision.

A member of the working group developing the bill, lawyer Khalida Azhigulova, believes that another disadvantage of the law is the consolidation of the concept of “traditional family values.” Azhigulova states: “There is no need to introduce a separate term “traditionally family values”, because otherwise now it could, on the contrary, enable aggressors to commit a number of violent offenses, justifying this with some kind of medieval traditions.”

According to Radio Azattyk, discussions on the fight against family and domestic violence have been actively conducted over the past few years. Particular attention to the problem was caused by the criminal trial of the former Minister of Economy of Kazakhstan Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who is accused of murdering his wife.

The publication notes that the majority of women in Kazakhstan face domestic violence, but the country's Ministry of Internal Affairs takes action only in a small proportion of cases.

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