Stalking in Kazakhstan: Why People Have Only Started Talking About It Now
Until recently, stalking in Kazakhstan was widely perceived as something more typical of movies, TV dramas, or social media discussions than of everyday life. Persistent phone calls, dozens of messages, or being followed near one’s home or workplace were often not seen as a serious threat. Such behavior was frequently excused with phrases like “he just can’t let go,” “he’s just being too persistent in courting her,” or “that’s how he shows his feelings.” But in recent years, attitudes toward this issue have begun to change, and on September 16, 2025, amendments came into force in Kazakhstan, introducing a separate Article 115-1, “Stalking,” into the Criminal Code. Under this article, stalking is defined as the unlawful pursuit of a person, expressed in attempts to establish contact with and/or track them against their will, without the use of violence, but causing substantial harm. What Exactly Is Considered Stalking? In practice, stalking is not limited to following someone on the street. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs includes repeated phone calls, constant messaging, intrusive attempts to establish contact, harassment through social media, and other actions against a person’s will in this category. Official explanations also state that stalking may include threats, insults, defamation, online surveillance, reading private correspondence, monitoring through cameras, and GPS trackers. All of this causes fear, anxiety, and a sense of insecurity. For a long time, society did not view stalking as a separate problem for several reasons. First, many people still held the dangerous belief that persistence is almost normal, especially in the context of former relationships or attempts to “win over” someone’s attention. Second, psychological harm was often underestimated: if there were no bruises or obvious physical violence, it was assumed that there was no serious problem. Third, before a separate article appeared in the law, it was harder for people to explain exactly what was happening to them and why it deserved a legal response. The introduction of a clear legal norm helped call the problem by its proper name, and this matters not only for the police and courts, but also for the victims themselves. What Changed After the Law Was Adopted? In reality, stalking is not about feelings and not about “love that is too strong.” Its purpose is control, intrusion into another person’s personal boundaries, and forcing one’s presence upon them. The Ministry of Internal Affairs directly emphasizes that such actions cause serious harm to personal safety and psychological well-being. Stalking causes fear, stress, and anxiety about one’s life and health, and in some cases may escalate into more serious crimes, including violence, bodily harm, or property damage. The introduction of Article 115-1 showed that the state no longer regards intrusive harassment as something minor or as “a private story between two people.” The penalties for stalking include a fine of up to 200 monthly calculation indices (MCI), community service for up to 200 hours, or arrest for up to 50 days. If the harassment is accompanied by violence, threats, blackmail, or the unlawful...
