An appalling call by an Almaty-based blogger to “kill autistic people” has reignited public debate over attitudes toward children with special needs in Kazakhstan, revealing deep-rooted prejudices that persist in society despite ongoing reforms.
Shocking Comments and a Criminal Case
“There are too many autistic people, they need to be treated, and if they cannot be cured, they should be killed or autism hospitals should be opened. Children with autism have no feelings!” wrote Almaty blogger Raihan Zhumamuratova in a now-deleted post on social media. Her remarks sparked outrage online and drew swift condemnation from authorities.
Zhumamuratova’s post followed a disturbing incident on August 23, when a mother posted on Instagram that her two-year-old son was attacked in a courtyard by a teenager who picked him up, threw him in the air, and then fled while covering his ears. The act was captured on video. Initial reports suggested the 13-year-old boy may have a mental health condition, possibly an autism spectrum disorder, though no official diagnosis has been confirmed.
The Auezov District Police Department opened a criminal case, and the teenager’s parents were held accountable for failing to properly fulfill their parental duties.
Zhumamuratova’s comments were widely condemned. The Autism Kazakhstan association filed a formal complaint, prompting Almaty police to launch an investigation. Minister of Labor and Social Protection Svetlana Zhakupova stated, “I think law enforcement agencies will take the right decisions regarding this blogger. The harshest ones.”
“You know, we are building an inclusive society together. We do not tolerate discrimination against people with disabilities,” Zhakupova added. “Children with autism are currently under the special supervision of several government agencies, the Ministry of Education, our Ministry of Labor, and the Ministry of Health. We fully support these children.”
A Pattern of Neglect and Violence
While Zhumamuratova’s statements have drawn near-universal condemnation, this is not the first time a child has been seriously harmed by a teenager with a psychiatric condition.
In February 2025, a teenager attacked a five-year-old with a knife inside an elevator in a residential building in Astana. The assault was also recorded and widely circulated online. The attacker, who is registered at a psychoneurological clinic, was later placed in a psychiatric hospital. His legal guardian was held accountable, according to Children’s Rights Commissioner Dinara Zakieva.
Parents of children with special needs frequently report being left to cope alone. Rehabilitation services are limited, oversight is weak, and resources are stretched thin.
A Long Road to Inclusion
Kazakhstan faces systemic challenges in building an inclusive society. For decades, people with psychiatric or developmental diagnoses were kept out of public view. Traditional nomadic culture stigmatized them, and under the Soviet regime, psychiatric diagnoses often carried punitive implications that brought shame upon families.
Many citizens today remain uninformed about developmental disorders like autism. As a result, people with such conditions are often met with fear or hostility. Compounding the issue, disability benefits remain low, making private care and quality rehabilitation inaccessible for most families.
As of March 1, 2025, Kazakhstan had 12,807 children and adolescents under observation for autism spectrum disorders, more than triple the number recorded in 2020. This surge reflects both improved diagnostics and growing public awareness.
Currently, 74 rehabilitation centers provide medical assistance to children nationwide. A development and early intervention center is under construction, while 207 mental health offices operate at the district level. The Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Mental Health in Almaty serves as the leading institution. Pilot programs for early intervention are being tested in Almaty and the Kyzylorda region.
However, according to parents, these efforts fall short. Many are forced to turn to expensive private specialists due to long waits and a lack of qualified personnel in state facilities. Stigma remains entrenched, especially in rural areas, but also in urban centers like Almaty, as demonstrated by Zhumamuratova’s inflammatory comments.
Political Response and Public Hope
Mazhilis deputy Irina Smirnova responded to the incident by calling for a systemic overhaul of Kazakhstan’s approach to supporting children with autism.
“When we hear reports about the opening of rehabilitation centers, these are all fragmented moments that do not solve the overall picture,” said Smirnova. “We need to review our approaches, take the best international experience, study it, and implement it.”
While the path ahead is steep, the widespread backlash against Zhumamuratova’s comments and the strong response from civil society suggest a growing awareness and a willingness among Kazakhstani citizens to stand up for children with special needs.
