Kazakhstan criminalises forced marriage in effort to combat modern slavery

Kazakhstan’s parliament, the Majilis, has passed amendments to the Criminal Code, officially criminalising forced marriage.

The new Article 125-1, ‘Coercion to enter into marriage’, introduces penalties including fines, correctional labour, restriction of freedom, and imprisonment for up to 2 years.

If the offence involves violence against a minor, is committed by 2 or more people, or involves abuse of official position, the prison sentence increases to between 3 and 7 years.

In cases where serious harm occurs, the penalty rises further to between 5 and 10-years’ imprisonment.

This reform also closes a legal loophole. Previously, perpetrators who kidnapped someone and then voluntarily released them could avoid punishment if no other crime was committed.

Forced marriage is a form of modern slavery that disproportionately affects women and girls and can lead to exploitation, abuse, and long-term harm.

Governments must criminalise all forms of modern slavery, including forced and child marriage.

This is in line with international standards such as the:

• Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, otherwise known as the Palermo Protocol
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
• Supplementary Convention on the Abolition of Slavery, the Slave Trade, and Institutions and Practices Similar to Slavery

While the new legislation is a positive step, forced marriage often happens alongside other abuses, including trafficking, sexual exploitation, and child marriage.

Not all prison labour is forced labour, but the government of Kazakhstan must ensure that forced labour is never used as a punishment for other modern slavery crimes, including the correctional labour penalty introduced under Article 125-1.

Walk Free recommends that the Government of Kazakhstan take further action to protect people by:

These steps would reinforce Kazakhstan’s commitment to upholding human rights and ending modern slavery in all its forms.