Draft Law - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan to Grant Amnesty to More Than 15,000 Inmates and Offenders

Kazakhstan’s Senate has passed a bill granting amnesty to more than 15,000 individuals in connection with the 30th anniversary of the country’s Constitution. The draft law, which has been approved by both chambers of parliament, will take effect once it is signed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. According to the bill, approximately 4,100 individuals currently serving sentences will be fully released from criminal liability, while the sentences or penalties of an additional 11,000 convicts will be reduced or softened. However, only a small fraction of those covered by the amnesty, fewer than 1,000, are expected to be released from prison. As explained by MP Abzal Kuspan, 632 of those eligible for full release are currently incarcerated. The remaining 3,500 individuals to be released are to be placed under the supervision of the probation service and are serving non-custodial sentences. The amnesty targets individuals convicted of minor or moderate offenses, particularly those who have not caused harm or who have compensated for any damage caused. It also applies to socially vulnerable groups. Among those eligible are 833 women, of whom 109 will be released and 724 will have their sentences reduced. Only four of the 75 convicted minors in Kazakhstan will be granted amnesty, due to the fact that most underage offenders are serving sentences for serious or particularly serious crimes. “The reason is that minors in our country are mostly convicted of serious and particularly serious offenses,” Kuspan explained. The amnesty explicitly excludes individuals convicted of serious or particularly serious crimes, including corruption, terrorism, extremism, crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, torture, repeat offenses, and those serving life sentences. Currently, 624 people in Kazakhstan are imprisoned for corruption-related crimes, 294 for terrorism, 96 for extremism, and 48 for torture. In total, over 40,000 individuals are held in the country’s criminal justice system, which includes 63 penal institutions and 16 pre-trial detention centers. Of these, approximately 33,000 are convicted prisoners, while 7,000 are awaiting trial. In recent years, the Kazakh authorities have introduced a series of reforms aimed at strengthening the protection of the rights of detainees and convicts. These efforts are part of a broader push to improve transparency and accountability in the justice system.

Internet Jogorku Kenesh Combating Pornographic Websites Draft Law

Kyrgyz MPs Propose Ban on Pornographic Websites

A group of Kyrgyz parliamentarians has introduced draft legislation aimed at banning the distribution of pornographic content online. The proposal, currently under review, has sparked a mixed response among lawmakers. The bill seeks to restrict access to websites hosting pornographic material and establish legal liability for their distribution. Under the draft law, the Ministry of Digital Development would be required to block access to online resources featuring prohibited content within 24 hours of receiving a complaint. Alternatively, the site owners must remove the content upon request from an authorized state body. If they fail to comply, the site could be blocked for up to two months. The bill also grants any citizen the right to file a complaint with authorities if they encounter pornographic content online. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from some MPs. Deputy Dastan Bekeshev questioned whether the proposed legislation duplicates existing laws. He pointed out that Kyrgyzstan already has legal provisions banning harmful content for children, including pornography. “Do we need another law? Isn’t the previous one enough? We’ve already banned child pornography. Maybe adults should be allowed access to such content, at least with a password?” he asked. “In Japan, for example, people watch pornography, and nothing happens, the country continues to develop. If you ban everything online, people will start looking for it on the streets.” Bekeshev argued that while the goal may be to promote public morality, such measures often fail and can even be counterproductive. “We need to begin with ourselves and lead by example,” he added. In response, Marat Togaev, Deputy Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, explained that the current law only permits blocking websites registered within Kyrgyzstan. The new bill, he said, is designed to extend enforcement to websites regardless of jurisdiction. Following parliamentary debate, the bill passed its first reading. Togaev noted that while telecom operators have the technical capability to block pornographic websites, they cannot prevent users from accessing such content via VPNs.

Regulation AI Draft Law

Kazakhstan Introduces AI Regulation Bill to Ensure Human Oversight

Deputies of the Mazhilis, the lower house of Kazakhstan's parliament, have introduced a draft law titled On Artificial Intelligence. The legislation proposes a complete ban on digital systems that make decisions without human intervention. The bill was presented by one of its key developers, Mazhilis deputy Ekaterina Smyshlyayeva, who emphasized the need for a transparent and effective legal framework for integrating AI into Kazakhstan’s economy. “President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has repeatedly highlighted the importance of AI development and issued relevant directives. During a recent visit to the Artificial Intelligence Development Center, he stressed the need for a balanced approach to AI regulation. On one hand, it is a matter of security; on the other, it is essential for development. Striking this balance is crucial,” Smyshlyayeva stated. To address security concerns, the bill seeks to prohibit fully autonomous AI systems that operate without human oversight, aiming to reduce the risk of unintended consequences. AI Classification and Regulation The proposed legislation classifies AI systems by risk level: High-risk: AI systems that impact human life and health or are used in public administration will be subject to strict regulation. Medium-risk: These systems require oversight but with fewer restrictions. Low-risk: AI systems in this category can be developed without regulatory intervention. The bill also calls for the creation of a National AI Platform, a state-led technological infrastructure for AI development, training, and testing. Additionally, lawmakers propose restrictions on AI applications that assess individuals based on social, biometric, or behavioral characteristics. The bill also seeks to ban AI technologies designed to manipulate human behavior. Violations of these provisions would result in administrative penalties under a newly proposed amendment to the Code of Administrative Offenses. Lawmaker Expresses Fear of AI During the bill’s presentation, MP Anas Bakkozhayev openly admitted his concerns about artificial intelligence, stating that AI threatens national traditions and intellectual independence. “I view AI with caution, sometimes even fear. This path leads to degradation. Humans should think and analyze for themselves. Otherwise, where are we headed? Are we merely following global AI trends? What about our traditions, culture, and intellectual capabilities? I fear AI,” Anas Bakkozhayev said. He also criticized the use of AI by Kazakh officials, arguing that neural networks have become a tool for bureaucrats who prioritize their superiors’ opinions over independent thought. Furthermore, he raised concerns about AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, potentially gathering sensitive data that could threaten national security. Kazakhstan’s AI Landscape As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, the Chinese robotics company AgiBot recently signed an agreement with Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry to establish a joint venture for AI-powered robotics in Kazakhstan's industrial facilities. However, the expansion of AI remains a contentious issue in Kazakhstan’s parliament. Last December, Smyshlyayeva's colleague, MP Magerram Magerramov, proposed restricting the use of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools in schools, arguing that their overuse weakens students’ critical thinking and problem-solving skills.