Commissioner for Human Rights Artur Lastayev addressed a plenary session of the OSCE ODIHR Warsaw Human Dimension Conference dedicated to ethnic and religious tolerance and non-discrimination.

Speaking during a plenary session on ethnic and religious tolerance and non-discrimination, Ombudsman noted that Kazakhstan is home to more than 120 ethnic groups and has around 1,000 ethno-cultural associations, reflecting the country’s ethnic and religious diversity.

The Сommissioner outlined the legal protections in place to uphold equality and prevent discrimination. These include administrative and criminal liability for violations of equal rights and for incitement to social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hatred, including offences committed through the media, telecommunications networks and online platforms.

“Those who violate equal rights or incite social, national, ethnic, racial or religious hatred, including through the media, telecommunications networks and online platforms, may face administrative or criminal liability,” Artur Lastayev said.

The Ombudsman also highlighted the role of the Kazakhstan Halyk Kenesi (People’s Council of Kazakhstan) in promoting inclusive public dialogue. As the country’s highest constitutional advisory body, the Council represents the interests of the people and contributes to dialogue and coordination on matters related to national unity. The Council comprises 126 members, including 42 representatives of ethno-cultural associations.

Similar mechanisms are in place at the regional level. Representatives of ethno-cultural associations make up at least one quarter of the membership of public councils, giving ethnic communities a regular channel for participation in public discussions and an opportunity to have their perspectives reflected in deliberations on issues of wider public importance.

Artur Lastayev also addressed freedom of conscience and religion, stressing the principle of equal treatment of religious communities. As a secular state, Kazakhstan does not grant any religion a privileged legal status. The same legal framework applies to all religious associations, regardless of the size of their membership.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ombudsman/press/news/details/1307443?lang=ru