Kazakhstan Proposes Stricter Measures for Convicted Pedophiles, Including Pre-Release Chemical Castration

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Health has proposed tightening the application of chemical castration for individuals convicted of sexual crimes against minors. Draft amendments published on the Open NPA platform outline a new mechanism mandating the procedure six months prior to a convict’s release from prison. Ministry of Health Proposal Under the proposed changes, prisoners would undergo a compulsory forensic psychiatric evaluation one year before their scheduled release to assess the risk of recidivism. If deemed necessary, chemical castration would follow six months later. “An amendment is being introduced on the use of chemical castration six months before release and the referral of materials by the administration of the institution no later than twelve months before the expiry of the sentence to the court for the appointment of a forensic psychiatric examination,” the explanatory note states. Legal Basis and Procedure Chemical castration is regulated under Article 91 of Kazakhstan’s Criminal Code. It is currently applied to individuals over the age of 18 convicted of crimes against the sexual integrity of minors, provided they have been diagnosed with a disorder of sexual preference. The procedure involves the administration of antiandrogenic medication to suppress testosterone levels and reduce sexual drive. Presently, the measure can only be imposed by court order. The Ministry of Health argues that conducting the procedure shortly before release would minimize the risk of reoffending during the immediate post-release period, which is considered particularly high-risk. Lifelong Supervision Also Under Consideration In a parallel initiative, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has proposed introducing lifetime administrative supervision for convicted pedophiles. Currently, such supervision is limited to eight years. “We can also restrict leaving the house at night,” said Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Igor Lepekha. “Previously, supervision lasted eight years. Now, it is planned to be significantly extended.” Under the proposal, courts would reassess each case every six months based on the likelihood of recidivism. Additional measures may include restrictions on visiting educational institutions, curfews, and more. Violations would carry administrative or criminal penalties. A Push for Surgical Castration A more extreme measure was proposed in 2024 by parliament deputy Yelnur Beisenbayev, who advocated for the surgical castration of pedophiles, calling it a powerful deterrent. “I spoke in favor of surgical castration. We included this provision in the draft law, but the government did not support it, citing concerns about violating privacy,” Beisenbayev said. He criticized the government's stance as “spineless,” asserting that physical castration could serve as both a preventive measure and a means to protect children from violent sexual crimes.

Kazakhstan to Increase Penalties for Attacks on Medical Workers

Kazakhstan is preparing legislative amendments that will significantly increase criminal liability for violence against medical personnel, equating such offenses with attacks on law enforcement officers. The initiative follows a directive from President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, who urged the government to take stronger action to protect medical staff amid a growing number of violent incidents. At a recent meeting, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov reviewed proposals presented by Health Minister Akmaral Alnazarova. The Ministry of Health is drafting legislation that would classify attacks on healthcare workers in the same legal category as assaults on police officers. Proposed measures also include equipping staff with smart video badges, installing comprehensive security systems in hospitals, and deploying permanent police posts in emergency departments. Under the current Criminal Code, an attack on a law enforcement officer is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, while attempted murder carries a sentence of 10 to 15 years with property confiscation. Speaking at a briefing, Minister Alnazarova announced the introduction of a new article in the Criminal Code addressing threats and violence against medical workers. Threats alone could result in up to two years' restriction of liberty. Violence against a single medical worker may carry a sentence of 1 to 10 years, while attacks involving multiple perpetrators or targeting groups of workers could lead to up to 15 years of imprisonment. “These are adequate and necessary measures to protect our medical workers,” Alnazarova said, adding that the bill would be submitted to the Mazhilis, the lower house of parliament, in September. According to the Health Ministry, over 170 cases of violence against doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare staff have been recorded in Kazakhstan since 2019. “Such incidents must be resolutely suppressed by legal means,” Bektenov emphasized. “I instruct the ministries of health, internal affairs, and justice to develop and submit the necessary legislative amendments to parliament within ten days.” As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, two recent assaults on medical personnel in Kazakhstan resulted in hospitalizations. In response, the health minister issued a public appeal urging an end to violence against medical staff.