Senate Begins Review of the “Archival Affairs” Bill: What, Where and When Will Happen
The Senate of the Parliament of Kazakhstan has officially started reviewing the draft law “On Amendments and Additions… on Issues of Archival Affairs and Restricting the Distribution of Unlawful Content.” The bill includes provisions introducing a ban on the so-called “propaganda of non-traditional sexual orientation”. The human rights LGBTQIA+ initiative REQUEST explains the expected legislative process and upcoming stages of consideration.
Current status of the bill
The Senate has formally included the draft law in its working agenda.
It should be recalled that the Senate received and registered the bill on November 14, following its adoption by the Mazhilis on November 12, 2025.
The Senate has also published the agenda for the week of November 17–21, 2025, which allows an approximate reconstruction of the next procedural steps.
At the same time, many stages of the process are not accessible to the public or civil society, unless specific invitations are issued. The Senate may change the level of openness of these stages at any time.
Key upcoming dates
November 19 (Wednesday), 15:00
Presentation of the bill at the Committee on Social and Cultural Development and Science of the Senate.
This will be the first official presentation of the draft law in the Senate, where the rapporteurs will present the text of the bill and the explanatory note.
21 November (Friday), 15:00
Meeting of the working group under the same Senate committee.
At this stage, the committee members are expected to hold a detailed discussion of the provisions and possible adjustments to the bill.
What happens after the committee stage
After the presentation and working group discussions, the draft law is submitted to the relevant Senate committee, which prepares a recommendation.
The bill is then forwarded to the plenary session of the Senate, where the entire chamber considers and votes on the document.
Plenary sessions of the Senate traditionally take place on Thursdays.
Based on the current procedural timeline (presentation → working group → committee → bureau → plenary session), the most probable date for consideration by the full Senate is: 27 November 2025 (Thursday).
This session may become the key and decisive stage of the legislative process.
The Senate sessions are usually broadcast live on the Senate’s official website, making it possible to follow the discussion in real time.
Committee members
The bill is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Social and Cultural Development and Science, which includes the following members:
- Zhusip Nurtore Baytelesovich, Chair
- Argynbekova Ainur Serikpaevna, Secretary
- Esbay Amangeldy Gabdykkadirovich
- Zhunusov Talgat Turlybekovich
- Kapbarova Aigul Zharylkasynovna
- Nukhuly Altynbek
- Rakhmetova Asem Kalashbaevna
- Rustemov Ruslan Rustemovich
What can be done now
There is still time before the expected final review.
REQUEST encourages supporters and civil society actors to participate in the advocacy campaign “Wave of Letters for Freedom 2.0”.
Individuals and organizations can:
- send letters and position statements to the Senate;
- submit comments and legal arguments regarding the bill;
- address senators directly through the official Senate website, where it is possible to send individual appeals.
Citizen submissions are part of the formal parliamentary procedure, and such letters are expected to be taken into account when committees prepare their official conclusions on draft legislation.
With the plenary vote potentially approaching, the coming days may be decisive for the future of the bill.