Kazakhstan has enacted a new law criminalizing forced marriages and bride kidnappings, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to strengthen women’s rights. The legislation, which came into effect on Tuesday, introduces stricter penalties for offenders, including prison terms of up to 10 years.
In a statement, Kazakh police said the changes are aimed at protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and adolescents. “These changes are aimed at preventing forced marriages and protecting vulnerable categories of citizens, especially women and adolescents,” the statement read.
The practice of bride kidnapping, while illegal in principle, had previously allowed perpetrators to escape prosecution if they voluntarily released their victims.
The new law closes that loophole, ensuring that offenders are held accountable regardless of circumstance.
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Although there are no comprehensive statistics on forced marriages in Kazakhstan, a lawmaker revealed earlier this year that police had received 214 complaints over the past three years. Rights advocates say the lack of clear legislation until now has contributed to underreporting and a culture of impunity.
The move comes amid heightened scrutiny of women’s rights in Kazakhstan following the 2023 murder of a woman by her husband, a former minister. The case shocked the nation and prompted President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to publicly condemn harmful practices justified as “traditions.” “Some people hide behind so-called traditions and try to impose the practice of wife stealing. This blatant obscurantism cannot be justified,” Tokayev said last year.
The issue remains prevalent in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, where bride kidnapping often goes unpunished due to weak enforcement and social stigma, underscoring the regional challenge of protecting women’s rights.