Kazakhstan's parliament on Wednesday passed a bill to ban the promotion of what it calls "non-traditional sexual orientation" in public spaces and the media, a copycat of Russia's anti-LGBTQ laws. Â Â Â
Rights groups described the measure, which needs to be approved by the upper house, as discriminatory and said it would increase the vulnerability of LGBTQ people in the Central Asian Muslim-majority country, an ally of Russia.Â
The legislation would ban "information containing propaganda of paedophilia and/or non-traditional sexual orientation in public spaces, as well as in the media."
Numerous rights groups urged MPs to reject the law, saying adopting it "would blatantly violate Kazakhstan's international human rights commitments," the International Partnership for Human Rights said in a statement.
Located between Russia and China, the vast former Soviet republic rich in natural resources, is trying to balance between its superpower neighbours and the West. Â Â
Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is currently on a state visit to Moscow, where he is expected to sign a strategic partnership agreement with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
Earlier this year Tokayev slammed the rise of what he called LGBTQ values.
"For decades, so-called democratic moral values, including LGBT, were imposed on many countries," he wrote on social media.
Echoing language used by Moscow, he added that various NGOs and foundations had used that as a facade for meddling in other countries' internal affairs.Â
Russia adopted its own anti-LGBTQ law in 2013, initially banning what it called the "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relationships" among children.
It expanded the measure to adults after it invaded Ukraine in 2022 and has ramped up a campaign targeting LGBTQ groups and people.
Several other countries, including EU members Hungary and Bulgaria have also passed anti-LGBTQ "propaganda" laws that critics say are inspired by Russia's.
aj-bk-asy/jc/fg
© Agence France-Presse
Originally published on doc.afp.com, part of the BLOX Digital Content Exchange.
Information from the News and our advertisers (Want to add your business to this to this feed?)
Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.
Error! There was an error processing your request.
Sign up to receive notifications when a new Columbia Gorge News e-Edition is published.
Would you like to receive our news updates? Signup today!
Receive weekly updates on obituaries and death notices.
Oregon Capital Press presented by Columbia Gorge News
Receive updates on upcoming promotions and special sections.
Receive weekly updates on local sports news.
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
Commented
Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.