Legislative changes - The Times Of Central Asia

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Digitalization

Kazakhstan to Establish Ministry for AI Development, Digital Code, and Crypto Asset Fund

In his annual address to the people of Kazakhstan, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev identified digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) as key priorities for the country’s development. The president announced a series of institutional and legislative initiatives aimed at positioning Kazakhstan at the forefront of the global technological transformation. Tokayev emphasized that digitalization and AI should form the foundation for modernizing both the national economy and the system of public administration. He instructed the government to establish a dedicated ministry to oversee the development and regulation of artificial intelligence tools. “The new ministry should be headed by a specialist at the level of deputy prime minister,” Tokayev said. Currently, the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Aerospace Industry is the state body responsible for digitalization in Kazakhstan. The new ministry is expected to be created on its basis. In addition, Tokayev called for the development of a dedicated legal framework to support the large-scale adoption of AI. “The government is tasked with ensuring the total implementation of artificial intelligence to modernize all areas of the economy. As a first step, the adoption of the Digital Code should be accelerated,” Tokayev stated. According to Tokayev, the Digital Code will serve as a foundational document outlining Kazakhstan’s strategic directions for digitalization. It will address issues related to artificial intelligence, the platform economy, big data usage, and other areas central to integrating Kazakhstan into the global digital economy. Tokayev also announced plans to establish a state fund for digital assets, based on the investment corporation of the National Bank. “This fund will accumulate a strategic crypto reserve from the most promising assets of the new digital financial order,” he explained. He stressed the urgency of building a comprehensive ecosystem for digital assets and highlighted the importance of integrating the digital tenge, recently launched in Kazakhstan, into financing mechanisms provided by the National Fund. "Despite global instability, we have taken a decisive step into the era of total digitalization and artificial intelligence. My main mission is to ensure the stable socio-economic development and security of Kazakhstan in these turbulent and dangerous times,” Tokayev said. “The rapid development of artificial intelligence is already influencing people’s worldviews and behavior, especially among young people. There is no alternative, as this process is radically changing the world order and the way of life of all humanity. Therefore, I have set the strategically important task of transforming Kazakhstan into a fully-fledged digital country within three years." As previously reported by The Times of Central Asia, Kazakhstan in July launched alem.cloud, the most powerful supercomputer cluster in Central Asia, designed to support the development and implementation of artificial intelligence technologies.

Human rights

Torture in Tajikistan: A Systemic Problem Demanding Deep Reform

Despite recent legislative improvements and mounting international scrutiny, torture remains a persistent issue in Tajikistan. Experts warn that without comprehensive reform of law enforcement institutions and the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms, the problem is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Legislative Progress Fails to Translate into Practice Tajikistan has taken some legal steps in recent years to address the issue. Laws have been strengthened, more cases are being investigated, and several police officers have faced prosecution. “In the past two to three years, there has been gradual progress both in legislation and in the review of torture cases,” said Khushbakht Isoev, a torture documentation specialist at the human rights NGO Mir Prava and a member of the Coalition Against Torture in Tajikistan. However, Isoev notes that violent abuse by law enforcement officers, especially during detention, continues to be documented. Most cases never make it to court due to insufficient evidence or pressure on victims to remain silent. 25 Torture Complaints in 18 Months According to data from the Coalition Against Torture, 25 complaints were filed against law enforcement agencies in 2024 and the first half of 2025. The majority, 17 cases, were directed at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while others involved the State Committee for National Security, anti-corruption bodies, and drug control agencies. One complaint named employees of the General Prosecutor’s Office. The geographic distribution of these complaints spans the country: 11 came from Sughd Province, six from Dushanbe, and the remainder from Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) and other districts under direct central administration. Human rights defenders assisted 11 victims in securing legal representation and provided legal consultations to 14 others. They also prepared over 70 procedural documents and issued more than 100 oral legal recommendations. Yet, as Isoev points out, criminal charges are rarely pursued. “Torture is denied and rarely substantiated with evidence,” he said. Since January 2024, only six cases involving law enforcement officers have led to criminal proceedings. One of these cases dates back seven years and was only reopened after the accused was located. Some trials have resulted in sentencing, while others remain under investigation. Still, the number of prosecutions remains disproportionately low compared to the volume of complaints. Structural Barriers to Justice In 2012, Tajikistan introduced Article 143(1) into its Criminal Code, criminalizing torture as a distinct offense. This allowed lawyers and activists to move beyond vague “abuse of power” charges and pursue more precise legal accountability. “Introducing a specific article on torture was a critical step, but it has not addressed the systemic nature of the problem,” Isoev emphasized. One of the key obstacles is the inherent conflict of interest in the investigation process: cases of alleged torture are typically handled by the very agencies whose officers are accused. This creates opportunities for evidence tampering, witness intimidation, and coercion of victims into rejecting legal representation. Many detainees and their families are pressured not to file complaints or to forego legal counsel. Torture cases are often delayed without justification, and victims remain fearful...

Domestic Violence

‘Saltanat’s Law’: Have the Lives of Kazakhstani Women Changed?

One year ago, on April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a landmark package of legislative amendments aimed at addressing domestic violence in Kazakhstan. Quickly dubbed 'Saltanat's Law' by the public, the reforms are seen as honoring the memory of 31-year-old Saltanat Nukenova, who was brutally murdered by former Minister of the Economy, Kuandyk Bishimbayev. First Results: Statistics, Challenges, and New Realities Nukenova’s death and the viral public outcry under the hashtags #SupportSaltanat and #LifeImprisonment, catapulted domestic violence from the policy periphery to a national priority, prompting Parliament to pass amendments within weeks. The legislation reinstated criminal liability for battery and minor bodily harm, introduced penalties for repeat offenses within a year, prohibited reconciliation in cases involving minors, and instituted life sentences for murder and sexual violence against children. The law came into force on June 16, 2024. One year on, activists say there is enough data to evaluate early outcomes. Crucially, advocates note that the law has empowered women with legal language: for the first time, they can cite specific criminal statutes rather than relying solely on moral appeals. Yet, infrastructure has lagged. At the time of the legislation's adoption, there were 49 crisis centers nationwide; by mid-2025, that number had grown to 69. Still, 85% of districts lack access to shelters. With a population exceeding 1.2 million, Shymkent has only one center despite receiving 11,000 violence-related complaints. The Abay and Kyzylorda regions have none. Funding remains precarious: this spring, the Turkestan region’s largest center nearly closed due to unpaid utility bills. While international organizations provide training and grants, a stable government funding mechanism is still absent. Voices from Across Kazakhstan The Times of Central Asia spoke with women from various cities to gauge how the law has impacted daily life and their perceptions of safety. Kamilla, 21, a barista in Almaty, has observed a subtle shift: “Men have become more cautious, especially older ones. Bosses who used to make threatening or derogatory comments are more restrained now. They fear imprisonment, not just a fine. Still, I’m not confident the police would take my side. Many people still say, ‘It’s your own fault.’ But among my friends, few would ever justify violence. That’s already progress.” Madina, 19, a student from Taraz, sees increased online engagement: “Now, when someone shares their story, it goes viral," she told TCA. "People comment, repost, and demand justice. But on the ground, in the neighborhoods, little has changed. Women are still afraid. There’s nowhere to go, and often no family support.” Gulnara, 39, an accountant in Astana, recalls a neighbor’s silence: “She was often beaten. We offered help, but she waved us off. She didn’t want ‘to air dirty laundry.’ It’s not just about laws, it’s about mentality. Many still see the law as distant, irrelevant to their own lives.” Dana, 27, a makeup artist in Kostanay, says the law offers emotional support: “When it passed, we felt heard. But we know it’s just a beginning," she told TCA. "Young people are more outspoken...

Children's Rights

Kazakhstan Cracks Down on Crimes Against Children and Women

Kazakhstan’s Commissioner for Children’s Rights, Dinara Zakiyeva, has outlined the scale of sexual violence against minors and the state’s efforts to combat it by strengthening legislation and support systems. Legislative Changes In April 2024, Kazakhstan introduced sweeping amendments to its criminal legislation, significantly increasing penalties for crimes against women and children. On April 15, 2024, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed into law the On Amendments and Additions to Some Legislative Acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Ensuring Women's Rights and Children's Safety. Key changes to the Criminal Code include: Prohibition of lenient sentencing for crimes involving violence against minors; Elimination of reconciliation between parties in cases involving violence against minors; Introduction of life imprisonment as the sole penalty for the murder of a minor (Article 99), rape of a minor (Article 120), and other violent sexual acts against minors (Article 121), removing alternative sentencing options; Criminalization of sexual solicitation of individuals under 16; and Legal liability for inciting or assisting in suicide. Scope of the Problem According to Zakiyeva, approximately 900 crimes related to the sexual abuse of minors are reported in Kazakhstan each year. Since the enactment of the new law, 25 to 27 individuals have already received life sentences for such offenses. The highest incidence of these crimes is recorded in southern Kazakhstan, specifically Almaty, Turkestan, and Zhambyl regions, as well as West Kazakhstan and Kostanay regions. Zakiyeva notes that these areas often have high population density and conservative family structures that may conceal abuse. Zakiyeva shared disturbing cases of underage girls who had given birth as a result of prolonged abuse. “In Zhambyl region, I met a 13-year-old girl who had been raped for six years by her two uncles. In Turkestan region, I visited a center housing 16 underage mothers, aged 13 to 15, all of whom were victims of abuse by relatives. Many didn’t even realize they were victims of a crime, they believed this was normal family life,” she said. Prevention and Support The children’s ombudsman emphasized that effective anti-violence strategies globally rely on four pillars: strengthening legal frameworks; promoting self-defense and awareness; working with families to identify risk factors early; and expanding support infrastructure for victims. Kazakhstan’s new legislation supports preventive measures such as deploying mobile teams to identify at-risk families and establishing family support centers in every district. Currently, 112 such centers are operational, with another 109 underway. In Turkestan region alone, the number of centers has grown from one to 13, with four more soon to open. Helpline and Awareness In a single month, Kazakhstan’s national children’s helpline received 120 phone calls and 11,145 text messages. According to Zakiyeva, these messages often reveal the deep emotional isolation children feel. “Children feel alone. They’re scared to speak out. They’re afraid to tell anyone that they’re being threatened, blackmailed, or approached by strangers. Many can’t talk to their parents, teachers, or psychologists,” she said.