UN Special Procedures Speak Out on Kazakhstan and the Risks of the “LGBT Propaganda” Bill

Following our submission, UN Special Procedures have publicly expressed concern about Kazakhstan and the risks posed by the draft law on the so-called “LGBT propaganda”.

Earlier, on October 29 and November 12, the human rights LGBTQIA+ initiative REQUEST submitted communications to the UN Special Procedures regarding the proposed amendments introducing a ban on so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations”.

Today we received the first public response.

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has published a preview of a statement by seven mandate holders of the UN Special Procedures, who assessed the proposed amendments as a step that could “institutionalize discrimination” and undermine Kazakhstan’s international human rights obligations.

Mandate holders who signed the statement

The statement was endorsed by the following UN Special Procedures:

• Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression
• Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
• Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders
• Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• Working Group on Arbitrary Detention
• Special Rapporteur on the right to education
• Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences

What the UN experts say

According to the experts, the proposed legislation risks institutionalizing discrimination and further restricting LGBT people’s access to information and support.

They also stress that the structure of the proposed law creates a misleading and harmful parallel between LGBT communities and pedophilia, a narrative that the experts describe as disinformation that undermines human dignity.

The mandate holders emphasize that the amendments should be rejected, as they contradict Kazakhstan’s international human rights obligations.

The experts further note that children’s rights cannot be protected through censorship and exclusion.

They underline that: “Children are best protected when they have access to diverse information and education grounded in respect for human rights”.

The Special Procedures also highlight the broader context, stating that they observe increasing pressure on LGBT communities, including restrictions on spaces for expression, organization, and self-advocacy, as well as the growth of stigmatizing narratives and attempts to legitimize discrimination under the rhetoric of “public morality” and “child protection”.

Why this UN position matters

This statement confirms at the international level what REQUEST and other initiatives have been documenting since the beginning of this campaign:

• the draft law is built on false assumptions and discriminatory narratives;
• the proposed wording creates tools for censorship, pressure and arbitrary enforcement;
• the rhetoric of “protecting children” is being used to justify restrictions on human rights and freedom of expression;
• the risks directly affect LGBTQIA+ people, human rights defenders, journalists, teachers, doctors and the wider civil society sector.

REQUEST expects a full response from the UN. The publication of this announcement and the experts’ positions is only the first public step.

We expect a formal communication from the UN Special Procedures addressed to the Government of Kazakhstan, containing detailed recommendations and questions to the authorities.

What REQUEST is doing next

REQUEST continues its work to respond to the situation:

• engaging with the Senate and international partners;
• preparing legal response mechanisms;
• continuing to document violations and threats;
• strengthening international advocacy efforts.

Call to action

We encourage everyone to support the campaign, share the UN statement and continue speaking openly about the risks of the proposed legislation.

It is essential that discrimination does not become the norm — neither in law nor in society.

About UN Special Procedures

UN Special Procedures are independent human rights experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council.

They:

• monitor human rights situations worldwide;
• respond to alleged violations;
• send official communications to governments;
• provide recommendations;
• and can issue public statements when they identify risks of systemic human rights violations.

They are considered one of the fastest and most effective international mechanisms for drawing attention to emerging threats and preventing human rights abuses.