In a bold step toward democratic modernization, Kazakhstan has launched a sweeping legal reform agenda through its December 2023 Action Plan on Human Rights and the Rule of Law.

Highlighted during a high-level meeting at the April 2025 session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg, the plan introduces landmark legislation—including the abolition of the death penalty, the criminalization of domestic violence, and new laws to combat bullying and gambling addiction. As Kazakhstan positions itself closer to European legal norms, these reforms signal a transformative shift in the country’s commitment to justice, accountability, and human rights.

I. Introduction: Democratic Reform in Global Context

Kazakhstan’s ongoing commitment to strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights took center stage during a high-level meeting held on the sidelines of the spring session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) in Strasbourg from April 7–11, 2025. This meeting brought together European lawmakers, Kazakh delegates, and legal experts to discuss the nation’s December 2023 Action Plan on Human Rights and the Rule of Law, a reform agenda that positions Kazakhstan as an emerging leader in regional democratic modernization.

These reforms, focused on issues ranging from domestic violence and bullying to the abolition of the death penalty and addiction prevention, reflect a growing political will to realign Kazakhstan’s legal system with international human rights standards. The changes also signal new directions for the country’s legal sector and state accountability mechanisms.

II. Highlights of the December 2023 Action Plan

The Action Plan on Human Rights and the Rule of Law, announced by presidential decree, represents a legal and policy overhaul aimed at creating a more rights-respecting state. Its major initiatives include:

1. Criminalization of Domestic Violence

Previously treated as an administrative offense, domestic violence is now a criminal act under Kazakh law. This shift ensures stronger punitive measures, mandatory prosecution in serious cases, and improved protections for survivors. The law also mandates state-funded shelter services and rehabilitation programs.

2. Abolition of the Death Penalty

Kazakhstan formally abolished the death penalty as part of its commitment to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This move entrenches a human rights-oriented justice system and aligns the country with modern penal trends across Europe and Central Asia.

3. Legal Provisions Against Bullying and Aggression

Recognizing the psychological and social harm of bullying, particularly among minors, new administrative and criminal codes address bullying in schools, workplaces, and online platforms. Educational institutions must now report bullying incidents, and penalties have been introduced for failure to intervene.

4. Regulation of Gambling and Social Harm

Responding to the rising concern of gambling addiction, the Action Plan outlines a framework for regulating the industry, enhancing consumer protections, and increasing public awareness. The state is tasked with crafting policies to limit access to gambling for vulnerable populations, particularly youth.

III. April 2025 PACE Meeting: Kazakhstan in the European Spotlight

The Strasbourg session of PACE featured a dedicated meeting on Kazakhstan’s democratic transformation. Hosted alongside the main parliamentary proceedings, the event highlighted Kazakhstan’s intention to adopt European legal standards as part of its foreign policy and domestic governance strategy.

Kazakh officials presented detailed updates on the implementation of the Action Plan, with particular emphasis on:

• Strengthening judicial independence
• Expanding access to legal aid
• Enhancing the transparency of government institutions
• Aligning with European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) principles

European lawmakers praised the country’s legislative progress while encouraging robust implementation and sustained civil society engagement.

IV. Legal Sector Implications

The sweeping nature of Kazakhstan’s legal reforms presents significant implications for the legal industry:

1. Evolving Criminal Justice Landscape

With the criminalization of domestic violence and bullying, Kazakh defense and prosecutorial lawyers must adjust to new evidentiary standards, victim rights protections, and procedural reforms. Specialized training in gender-sensitive legal practice will be essential.

2. Rise of Rights-Based Litigation

Human rights law, administrative justice, and constitutional law are becoming more prominent practice areas. Legal professionals must prepare for increased use of strategic litigation to challenge state conduct and assert newly codified protections.

3. Expansion of Regulatory and Compliance Law

Reforms related to gambling, social harm, and transparency impose new compliance obligations on private sector actors. Legal advisors will play a key role in helping companies and institutions adapt to stricter rules and monitoring.

V. Regional and Global Relevance

Kazakhstan’s legal reforms are being closely watched by neighboring states and international institutions. The abolition of the death penalty and the criminalization of domestic violence place it among a growing cohort of countries rejecting punitive authoritarian traditions in favor of human rights-based law.

Kazakhstan’s strategy—anchoring reform in international engagement through bodies like PACE and the United Nations Human Rights Council—may also serve as a model for other post-Soviet states pursuing legal modernization with international legitimacy.

VI. Challenges and Future Directions

While the reform agenda is ambitious, several challenges lie ahead:

• Implementation gaps between national law and local enforcement
• Judicial capacity-building needed to adjudicate complex new cases
• Public awareness and cultural change, particularly regarding domestic violence and bullying
• Ensuring independence of legal institutions from political influence

Continued oversight, civil society participation, and legal education will be key to ensuring these reforms do not remain symbolic but instead foster real transformation.

Conclusion: Toward a Rights-Based Legal System

Kazakhstan’s December 2023 Action Plan and its strong presence at the April 2025 PACE session mark a watershed moment in the evolution of its legal system. By confronting deep-rooted social challenges through legal reform, and engaging with European partners to benchmark progress, Kazakhstan is laying the groundwork for a more democratic and accountable state.

For legal professionals, policymakers, and human rights advocates, the reforms represent both a call to action and a promise of a more just legal future in Central Asia.