Kazakhstan strengthens its domestic violence legislation.

Kazakhstan strengthens its domestic violence legislation.

The browser's tape recorder got a front-row seat to a brutal beating, kickstarting Kazakhstan's government into addressing domestic violence. Now, a fresh law treats these incidents as criminal offenses instead of civil issues, escalating punishments for convicts.

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev inked the necessary changes on April 15, broadening definitions and increasing sentences in cases related to violence against women and children. Until the updates, most domestic violence episodes were handled as administrative matters, not as criminal cases.

These amendments enforce prison sentences for domestic violence offenders, instead of the milder punishments they mighthave previously received. The changes also introduce standardized sentence guidelines for heinous cases. For instance, individuals convicted of the murder or rape of a minor now face life sentences without parole.

A press release from the President's office, shared through Telegram, stated that these amendments were the result of extensive collaboration between various government agencies, commissions, and advocacy groups. Erlan Karin, the secretary of state for public affairs, highlighted on his Telegram channel that Kazakhstan, with the cooperation between authorities and society, now boasts one of the world's foremost legal frameworks to combat domestic violence. The next step, according to Karin, is to shift societal attitudes on the matter.

To effectively eliminate domestic violence, Karin believes we need to cultivate a society that condemns violence in any form. The new anti-domestic violence legislation is part of a larger Presidential initiative aimed at combating "five vices" in Kazakhstan, which include drug addiction, gambling addiction, violence, vandalism, and wasteful spending.

A UN representative in Kazakhstan embraced the legislative improvements. "This critical step not only champions gender equality but also ensures that survivors of domestic violence have access to justice and resources to rebuild their lives," said UN Resident Coordinator Michaela Friberg-Story in a statement.

However, the job of diminishing domestic violence is far from done, Friberg-Story notes: authorities must enforce the laws and raise awareness about domestic violence. "A comprehensive approach is necessary to create a society where people can live free from fear and violence at home," Friberg-Story added.

The changes come too late for Saltanat Nukenova, the common-law wife of former Minister of National Economy Kuandyk Bishimbayev, who was found dead in a restaurant owned by her husband. A postmortem examination determined she died from blunt-force trauma to her head, with extensive bruising on her face, torso, and arms.

Her tragic death sparked public outrage, fueling a nationwide discussion about domestic violence. Bishimbayev is currently on trial for her brutal beating death. Surveillance footage, captured at the restaurant the night of the incident, clearly shows Bishimbayev repeatedly kicking and punching Nukenova. Bishimbayev maintains that Nukenova's injuries were self-inflicted and her excessive drinking was the cause.

The Nukenova tragedy is often credited with spurring government actions to address legal gaps in domestic violence cases. Karin, the state secretary, defended the administration from accusations of neglect towards the issue. "From the start of his presidency, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has unwaveringly pursued policies geared towards protecting women and children," Karin wrote. "Over the years, a system of comprehensive measures to combat domestic violence has been established."

Although human rights activists praise the new amendments, some question the effectiveness of follow-up measures. Raising public awareness about the laws, along with providing access to resources, poses a challenge in many areas outside major cities, according to Elena Shvetsova, director of the non-profit organization Erkindik Kanaty. Shvetsova predicts the new legislation will likely reduce domestic violence in urban centers. However, in remote villages, where domestic violence cases are common, improvements for women and children are unlikely to transpire for the foreseeable future, Shvetsova says.

In rural areas, women often experience pressure from relatives who refuse to air their dirty laundry in public. Many victims don't even know their rights.

1. The new law in Kazakhstan treats domestic violence incidents as criminal offenses, escalating punishments for convicts, shifting from handling most cases as administrative matters.
2. The amendments enforce prison sentences for domestic violence offenders, increasing sentences in cases related to violence against women and children, as compared to the milder punishments they might previously have received.
3. The changes in policy and legislation also introduce standardized sentence guidelines for heinous cases, such as life sentences without parole for individuals convicted of the murder or rape of a minor.
4. In order to effectively eliminate domestic violence, it is imperative to cultivate a society that condemns violence in any form, as mentioned by Erlan Karin, the secretary of state for public affairs in Kazakhstan.

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