“Unity! Stability! Creativity!” This is the slogan of Nur Otan, the political party of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Republic of Kazakhstan’s first and only president. This report, examining discrimination and inequality in Kazakhstan, finds that the unity promoted by Nazarbayev is narrow, excluding those whose religion, ethnicity or political opinion challenges his vision, and denying an equal role to women, persons with disabilities and other groups. A 2011 law on religion imposes onerous registration requirements, indi- rectly discriminating against minority religious groups. The promotion of the Kazakh language – spoken by only 74% of the population – creates barriers for ethnic minorities in accessing public services, employment and education. The state discriminates on the basis of political opinion, detain- ing its critics and limiting freedom of expression, assembly and association. The unified Kazakhstan promoted by the government also provides lit- tle space for other groups. Women are subject to discriminatory laws and are underrepresented in the workforce and public life. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are subject to discrimination by both state and non-state actors. Persons with disabilities and those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are subject to paternalistic laws which are grounded in stereotypes. The legal framework on equality is far from uni fied. The constitutional non-discrimination provision omits key grounds and there is no com- prehensive equality legislation. Implementation of the provisions which are in place is weak. Thus, this report finds that, i f Kazakhstan aspires to genuine unity, inclusive of all, much remains to be done. The Equal Rights Trust is an independent international organisation whose purpose is to combat discrimination and promote equality as a fundamental human right and a basic principle of social justice. The Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law is a non-governmental organisation which aims to protect political rights and civ- il freedoms and to develop democracy and rule of law in Kazakhstan and other countries. This report has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the Equal Rights Trust and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

Equal Rights Trust IN THE NAME OF UNITY€¦ · Country Report Series: Kazakhstan “Unity! Stability! Creativity!” This is the slogan of Nur Otan, the political party of Nursultan

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Page 1: Equal Rights Trust IN THE NAME OF UNITY€¦ · Country Report Series: Kazakhstan “Unity! Stability! Creativity!” This is the slogan of Nur Otan, the political party of Nursultan

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“Unity! Stability! Creativity!” This is the slogan of Nur Otan, the political party of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the Republic of Kazakhstan’s first and only president.

This report, examining discrimination and inequality in Kazakhstan, finds that the unity promoted by Nazarbayev is narrow, excluding those whose religion, ethnicity or political opinion challenges his vision, and denying an equal role to women, persons with disabilities and other groups.

A 2011 law on religion imposes onerous registration requirements, indi-rectly discriminating against minority religious groups. The promotion of the Kazakh language – spoken by only 74% of the population – creates barriers for ethnic minorities in accessing public services, employment and education. The state discriminates on the basis of political opinion, detain-ing its critics and limiting freedom of expression, assembly and association.

The unified Kazakhstan promoted by the government also provides lit-tle space for other groups. Women are subject to discriminatory laws and are underrepresented in the workforce and public life. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons are subject to discrimination by both state and non-state actors. Persons with disabilities and those living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus are subject to paternalistic laws which are grounded in stereotypes.

The legal framework on equality is far from unified. The constitutional non-discrimination provision omits key grounds and there is no com-prehensive equality legislation. Implementation of the provisions which are in place is weak. Thus, this report finds that, if Kazakhstan aspires to genuine unity, inclusive of all, much remains to be done.

The Equal Rights Trust is an independent internation-al organisation whose purpose is to combat discrimi-nation and promote equality as a fundamental human right and a basic principle of social justice.

The Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law is a non-governmental organi-sation which aims to protect political rights and civ-il freedoms and to develop democracy and rule of law in Kazakhstan and other countries.

This report has been prepared with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this report are the sole responsibility of the Equal Rights Trust and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.

IN THE NAME OF UNITY

Equal Rights Trust in partnership with the Kazakhstan International

Bureau for Human Rights and the Rule of Law

Addressing Discrimination and Inequality in Kazakhstan